News
JELENA BEHREND’S OBJECTS OF DESIRE | Vol. 1. | PART I | ELIZABETH NEEL
November 6, 2014
What do you do for a living?
I am an artist
How did you find out about Jelena Behrend?
From Michel Auder
What was your first encounter like, when you wore Jelena Behrend’s jewelry?
And do they bring you fortune, love, and protection?
The first time I wore something - it was a silver necklace - beautiful - each link unique and evidently made by hand and
with that big notorious clasp. I was at a Deitch opening - the show was “mega” in that there were a lot of artists young
and old whose work I respected. I had a big painting up and wearing Jelena’s piece negated nervousness. It was Magic!
What are your favorite places to wear Jelena’s jewelry?
On my body? Or do you mean geographical locations? If that’s what you mean then everywhere is the answer. Jelena’s
jewelry is so comfortable it doesn’t get in the way. She engineers things perfectly.
What pieces are your all time favorite, and why?
I have a new gold chain bracelet that is amazing. It makes me happy every time i put it on, but I love everything I have
of Jelena's. My byzantine jeweled brass cuff is so beautiful in an almost religious way. All my rings are fantastic and
I love the way they can be worn together, stacked, or separately.
I always want more - I can never have enough.
How does Jelena make the jewelry perfect for you?
I don’t know - its some eastern european magic…very mysterious. Jelena always knows exactly what will work and she
considers body type, personal style, body language...everything goes into her processor and voila this incredibly
personal thing happens.
What do people say, when they see you wearing the jewelry, and how do you manage their envy?
The jewelry inspires respect. I enjoy the envy, especially when Jelena’s work is the source.
What is your favorite place to wear Jelena’s jewelry?
Do you sleep with them, shower with them?
Are there pieces that you never take off, that are a part of your skin?
I go through phases in which I want to wear certain necklaces for months without taking them off. If I didn’t do
a job that involves manual labor and messy materials I would wear the rings and bracelets all the time too.
I don’t like getting paint on them. That being said the way the pieces are made adapt well to hard use.
They are amazingly strong and the more lived with, they look the better I love them.
What pieces are you hoping to own next?
A necklace…gold. It will happen in time. But before then more rings. I like letting Jelena mastermind things.
She’s a genius.
Born in Vermont in 1975, Elizabeth Neel first earned a BA in History from Brown University and later received her MFA from Columbia University in 2007. Her work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at Susanne Vielmetter, Los Angeles Projects (2012); Pilar Corrias Gallery, London (2011); Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York (2011); and Sculpture Center, Long Island City, NY (2010) among others.
Elizabeth's New York City Gallery - http://sikkemajenkinsco.com/
Portraits and Still Lives feature: Signature Link Necklace , Petar Cuff, HorseShoe Cuff, Monogramed ShirtCufflinks, Hammered Bangles, Wide Hammered Cuff, Hammered Sterling Silver Cuff E & U Rings, Hammered Zeus Ring and Chelsea's Ring in Platinum and Black Diamond and most of Jelena Behrend's Ring Designs.