“2020 Biennial Members Exhibition”
Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA
February 8, 2020 - November 8, 2020
SCULPTURE
BARBARA M. BERK
Barbara M. Berk’s “Aquamarine Rhapsody” Pendant
Acquired by Smithsonian Institution’s
National Gem Collection
March 2024
Photo Credit: (Left) Robert Weldon; (Right) Sherris Cottier Shank
(Left) “Aquamarine Rhapsody” pendant: 950 platinum woven by hand. 31.08ct aquamarine carved by Sherris Cottier Shank, cultured pearls. 3.6875” H x 1.25” W x 0.5” D
© Barbara Berk Designs, LLC 2004 – 2024
(Right) The plump drop: Carved around the entire circumference, the 31.08ct aquamarine is different from every viewing angle. 21.24mm H x 16.04mm W x 15.24mm D
© Sherris Cottier Shank 2004 – 2024
Barbara M. Berk’s first sculptures were small, personal scale and wearable. She wove high karat gold and platinum by hand, off loom, one-at-a-time, and shaped the flat fabric into a 3-dimensional sculptural form. Precious metal ribbons, ruffles, spirals and loops became pendants, brooches and earrings. She has donated one of her favorites, a woven platinum pendant featuring a large aquamarine drop carved by international award-winning lapidary artist Sherris Cottier Shank, to the National Gem Collection in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Read the whole story in the May 27, 2024 issue of the Roskin Gem News Report Magazine, or read the PDF.
Photo Credit: Gary Roskin
Berk (left) and Cottier Shank (right) in the secure room with curator Gabriela Farfan, trying on the “Aquamarine Rhapsody” pendant.