placuna plata o4

20” x 16” . |. S O L D | 2 0 1 8

This piece is composed of Placuna placenta oyster shells which have been used for thousands of years in the Philippines as a glass substitute because of their durability and translucency. I first burned the edges of these shells to reveal a delicate warm silver patina before cutting them into triangles. I then assembled and adhered the triangular pieces in a two-tiered grid pattern on a 1/2” thick acrylic panel housed in a 2” deep birch box frame. Each shell’s surface texture, organic color markings, burn lines, and metallic sheen are highlighted as they appear to float above their birch base. These shells LOVE being next to nature window light or hung under a delicate spotlight!