‘Wild Rose’ Pendant:
Sterling Silver, 24kt gold, pink tourmaline

Artist’s Statement
All the art work I produce is under the title “Outing The Body” (OTB).  “Outing The Body” is a series of related pieces which fuse together fine Jewellery, fashion design and performance art.  The art investigates the relationships between itself, the wearer and audience.

I love jewellery.
We are working with a material which is the financial foundation of the world.

I love making jewellery.
The objects we create are ceremonial, used in rites of passage, and become treasured heirlooms.

I love wearing jewellery.
Jewellery has meaning in the culture and evokes emotion.

I love teaching jewellery at the Alberta College of Art and Design.
I’ve learned so much.

I love talking about jewellery.
Our work speaks to identity, symbolism, self expression.

I love the history of jewellery.
Jewellery has been identified as the first form of art in the history of man.

Humans are the only creatures who adorn themselves.

Biography
Dee Fontans is an internationally recognized jeweller, enamellist, performance artist and fashion designer.  A local celebrity, she is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  She studied jewellery and fashion design at the Parsons School of Design in New York City.  Her work has been exhibited and published in the United States, Germany, the Caribbean and Canada.  The work is concerned with the female figure and the body, as an interactive context for garment design and performance work.