The Storyville Collection is inspired by the wrought iron balcony work from the 1830s building at 1026 Conti St. in the New Orleans French Quarter. It was the childhood home of the mysterious E.J. Bellocq, photographer of the Storyville ladies of the night, as well as the notorious brothel of the infamous Norma Wallace, known as the “last madam.”
Artist + Brandi Couvillion
Follow this artistHailing 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.
NEW ORLEANSYou May Also Like
Meet the Artists
Local art is the lifeblood of our culture and communities. We source work from hundreds of painters, muralists, sculptors, metal workers, printmakers, illustrators, photographers, and textile artists, every one of whom is part of your local community.
Create your Account
With an account you can save favorite works, create collections, send messages to artists, store your shipping info, and more
I am an artist
Already a member? Sign in here
Log In
Don't have an account? Sign up here