Meet the Maker
Oscar Perress creates one-off metal objects that can either be worn or displayed in your home
Something to be mindful of when acquiring one of Oscar Perress’ unique metalworks is that they’re capable of developing a living patina if kept in proximity with another. The Auckland metal artist uses various chemical treatments, teas and friction to change the patina of the silver and red gold materials he likes to work with. If the finished pieces are kept close to each other, the process continues to reactivate, meaning the patina is ever-changing. This is no happy accident: “I work with silver and red gold as they are both very responsive to treatment,” Oscar says. “I also enjoy the slight irony of the initial class or status associated with such metals now being ‘destroyed’.” The artist, who describes himself as “not quite a jeweller but not quite an artist”, is best-known for his one-off rings and has added belts and scarves to his latest collection. “Somewhere down the line there will also be more soft textile works, possibly in the form of clothing.” The limits and flexibilities of the human form are an inspiration for his practice, which is guided by the idea of creating artefacts as well as “a balance of permanence of form and impermanence of patina, and maybe also time”. See Oscar’s work at Public Record, Auckland, and at o-perress.com.