Hailing from New Orleans, Brandi is inspired by the urban environment around her, the various states of its metamorphosis and decay, and its relationship with the ever-evolving natural landscape.  

Her jewelry work and accessories are inspired by architectural details such as decorative wrought iron and plasterwork, as well as historic maps and imagery—some dating from as early as the 1700s culled from archives—and make permanent an ephemeral aspect of our cities’ histories.  

Her adornment captures the transitory landscapes of history: from trade routes and forgotten swamps to abandoned asylums whose architectural residue still decorates the landscape today.

From raw sheets of metal, her work transforms into wearable archives in suspension through an intensive, handcrafted process that involves heat image transfers, various etchants, soldering, gilding, patinas and polishes, and hammer forming. The process and the final product aspire to create civic dialogue about an embedded history, and the ebbs and flows of social and physical community infrastructure.

Ultimately, Brandi Couvillion's work blurs the lines between the past and the present weaving the poetics of place with the fabric of time.

Brandi currently maintains studio spaces in New Orleans, Washington, DC, and a shop in Alexandria, Virginia. 

Describe your art in three words.

Reflective, Evocative, Transformative

Describe yourself in one word.

Passionate

What do you love the most about creating art in New Orleans? What particular part of your immediate environment, in your neighborhood specifically influences your work?

For the last 10 years my home and studio have been in the Lower Garden District in a Victorian House circa 1880. It’s an intriguing block on the edge of the Warehouse District at the true beginning of the LGD. Our block is so unique with its historic architecture intact - once surrounded by Cotton Factories, the Texas Pacific Railroad Station and the Saulet Plantation.

Describe your creative process.

From raw sheets of metal, my work transforms into wearable archives in suspension through an intensive, handcrafted process that involves heat image transfers, various etchants, soldering, gilding, patinas and polishes, and hammer forming. The process and the final product aspire to create civic dialogue about an embedded history, and the ebbs and flows of social and physical community infrastructure. Ultimately, my work blurs the lines between the past and the present weaving the poetics of place with the fabric of time.

Where do you draw inspiration?

As a New Orleanian, I am inspired by the urban environment around me, the various states of its metamorphosis and decay, and its relationship with the ever-evolving natural landscape. My adornment captures the transitory landscapes of history: from trade routes and forgotten swamps to abandoned asylums whose architectural residue still decorates the landscape today.

Who are your artistic influences or gurus?

Ersy Schwartz’s sculptural work has a dark, surrealist quality I find compelling, leaving one feeling as if they were swept away into a Southern gothic story. Her meticulous renderings of birds or mice in bronze castings are exquisite as much as they are tragically comical.

In New Orleans, art and music go hand in hand. What type of music, band or song lyric best describes your work?

Andrew Bird's lyrics are so layered, acting as instruments themselves. They are so perfectly partnered with his melodies - a whistle can send me back in time, a violin pluck can propel me into the future and an esoteric lyric can swing me into other orbits.

Where can we find you when you are not creating art?

I have a studio in New Orleans, as well as in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia on the Potomac River, so I spend much of my time on the banks of the river watching the world and gathering inspiration. I also love to spend time in the Library of Congress, which is stunning as well as inspiring. It is where I cull my historic maps and architectural plans for my work.  

What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?

I am truly a night owl; however, I love the crisp, fresh light of the mornings where anything is possible.

Artists Website

Torpedo Factory Art Center

The New Orleans Museum of Art

Ariodante Contemporary Craft Gallery

The Historic New Orleans Collection

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Each piece is shipped in a gift box with an artist card, postcard and care instructions.