Andrew Young

Artist Statement

My jewelry practice is rooted in the belief that adornment is never just ornament. Jewelry
is a symbolic object, a wearable miniature monument, and a vessel of meaning passed through
generations. Working with recycled precious metals and hand-picked gemstones primarily from domestic gemcutters, I create one-of-a-kind pieces that resist the culture of disposability and instead
honor longevity, lineage, and meaning.

I was formally trained at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, where I
learned the foundations of goldsmithing and stone setting. Since then, my work has been fully
committed to traditional fabrication: saws, files, forming tools, and flame.
Much of my inspiration comes from history and the built environment. I look to Art Deco
and Art Nouveau movements, as well as motifs and sensibilities from much older civilizations,
translating their forms into contemporary metalwork. Symbology across cultures—glyphs,
talismans, and ritual objects—provides a rich visual language for my designs. I am also deeply
inspired by architecture, which I view as one of society’s most enduring expressions. In my
sketchbook, you’ll find there are as many studies of the California Bay Area’s architectural
motifs and facades as there are drawings of designs. The link between the decline of decorative
architecture and the rise of disposable consumer culture informs my conviction that well-made
objects, whether buildings or jewelry, both reflect and shape our values.

Equally central to my practice is community. Oakland, California—my chosen
home—fuels my work daily through its diversity, resilience, and deep sense of connection. My
best ideas often come from conversations with neighbors, shared experiences at local markets,
and the energy of people who champion one another. I sell exclusively at art fairs and in-person
markets for this reason: to hear feedback directly, to share stories, to build relationships.
Jewelry, for me, is a social practice as much as an artistic one.