Mari Keto
Mari Keto
Combining jewellery materials in her installations and portraits Mari Keto (b. 1975, lives and works in Copenhagen) explores the limits of artifacts. In Keto’s works both the conceptual underpinning and a high degree of craftsmanship merge into an artwork. Keto’s work is strongly research-based. She engages with her subject matter from various perspectives in order to define her own. Deriving from cultural histories and pop culture her work examines the distinctions between value and consumption. Keto’s multilayered works contain intemperate realism mixed with humor and irony.
Keto’s works are composed of diamonds, crystals, pearls and other jewellery material as she is intrigued by the fine line between sustainability and perishableness. She selects the crafting technique, varying from tanning of leather to blacksmithing iron, boiling earth paint to casting gold, cutting stones to etching metals, depending on the essence of the work.
Mari Keto graduated from Copenhagen’s Institute for precious metals in 2008. She has also a degree as an art blacksmith speciality in forging Pirkanmaa vocational institute. Keto’s works are widely exhibited and internationally awarded.
2011- Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, Fine arts department, Jewellery art
2004-2008 Institute for precious metals, jewellery artist
2003-2004 Copenhagen Polytechnic, technical studies
2001-2003 Pirkanmaa vocational institute, department of art & crafts, art blacksmith
1998-1999 Sámi education institute, special techniques studies
1997-1995 Lahti´s polytechnic school for art- and handcrafts, metal studies