Artist Georgina Trevino takes us back to making our October Flag of the Month

This flag is a continuation of the sculptures that I started using jewelry myself. I collect jewelry that people have gifted me. I do an open call where people can send me bags of jewelry, discarded jewelry, jewelry that no longer works for them, or it’s broken or they hate it because it’s old. I collect not only from people, but also constantly in my travels. I’m always looking for jewelry that I can salvage from flea markets, swap meets. The meaning behind it is really beautiful. I think about who owns the jewelry, the stories that come with the jewelry—there are your grandmother’s earrings. I think the stories that each piece conveys, as well as the energy it can convey, are wonderful. It’s not just a bunch of jewelry in one piece, but it shows the intelligence and what kind of jewelry goes into each piece. It becomes like a painting or drawing.

This new body of work screams “abundance.” I opened my second editorial exhibition “Greetings from Tijuana” at the University Art Museum of New Mexico State University [open through March 16]and most of these pieces are from there. It’s all part of a series called “Los Mexican Curios” which are sculptures that use pre-made materials that are sold at the border, which are very complicated and kitsch items – mainly piggy banks, fake luxury items, a Tweety or Hello Kitty statue. I recreate them and give them new life, as well as cover the imperfections of the ceramics with ornaments to enhance the works.

Georgina Trevino was born in Tijuana and is a San Diego-based artist, jeweler and teacher who creates internationally exhibited boundary-pushing works. Featured in major publications, she has collaborated with international brands and icons such as Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Rosalia and Nike.