Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivienne Varay.
Hi Vivienne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I spent the first seven years of my life on the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station Base before it was decommissioned. My father served as a Marine, and my mother worked as a payroll accountant. When my father was deployed overseas, my mother and I relocated to Peoria, Arizona. Both my parents were creative in their own ways, but it wasn’t something they pursued professionally.
From an early age, I was interested in art. I loved building things and drawing, always finding creative ways to work with whatever materials were available. In high school, I became interested in photography. I carried disposable cameras everywhere, documenting my friends and the places where I grew up. I felt an insatiable need to capture and preserve everything around me. My junior year marked a turning point when I enrolled in an introductory darkroom photography class, and it was then that I decided to pursue a creative career. I had a great teacher who was supportive of my work.
After attending several colleges, I eventually transferred to Arizona State University, where I pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During this time, my passion for photography began to fade. I explored various art electives, searching for a medium that truly resonated with me. That’s when I discovered metals and jewelry. I enjoyed the challenge of working with a torch and transforming a stubborn material into whatever I wanted. The versatility of the medium—casting, fabrication, and sculpting—was deeply engaging and creatively fulfilling. I am always excited to learn different processes and techniques, and there is still so much more for me to discover.
In 2013, I realized I still had more to learn about myself as an artist. This led me to the University of Georgia, where I earned my Master of Fine Arts degree in Jewelry and Metalworking. Since graduating in 2016, I’ve maintained my own studio space, where I focus on pursuing my artistic practice on my own terms. My current focus is on creating avant-garde pieces, limited bodies of work, and exhibiting in group shows.
Over the years, I’ve held various jobs in the cosmetics and jewelry industries as a way to support myself and my work. Since 2023, I have been a Lecturer at Washington State University, where I teach a range of courses within the Department of Digital Technology and Culture. I am also involved in several organizations, such as Art Jewelry Forum, Klimt02, and Artist Trust.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been anything but smooth, and the challenges along the way have played a significant role in shaping who I am as an artist and educator. Transitioning through multiple colleges before settling at Arizona State University was a challenge in itself, as I struggled to find my footing both personally and artistically. This period of uncertainty forced me to confront questions about my creative identity and long-term goals.
Another major struggle was navigating the emotional and technical demands of graduate school. At the University of Georgia, I constantly pushed the boundaries of my work, which often meant confronting deeply personal and vulnerable themes. Creating art that drew from my own experiences with anxiety and identity was cathartic but also emotionally draining. Balancing this intense creative exploration with the academic rigor of an MFA program required resilience and the support of mentors and peers.
A more recent struggle has been embracing a teaching career alongside my artistic practice. It has been difficult to keep the two separate. While teaching has become a source of inspiration and fulfillment, it has also required a shift in focus and a reevaluation of my priorities. Learning how to guide and support students while maintaining my own creative momentum has been rewarding, but it remains an ongoing challenge.
Through these struggles, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my values as an artist and educator. These experiences have shaped not only my work but also my outlook on what it means to create authentically and how to help others pursue their own passions and interests.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work examines the emotional complexities of human relationships, focusing on identity, desire, and transformation. In the series Dolls, I explore how celebrity culture shapes identity and self-perception. Inspired by Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls (1966), this body of work reflects the dynamics of aspiration, dependency, and societal expectations embodied by iconic female figures. Each of the 16 necklaces in this series tells a story, highlighting the admiration and criticism that often define the legacies of women whose struggles have been turned into public spectacle.
This series emerged from personal reflections on relevance, aging, and self-worth. Jewelry, as both adornment and artifact, serves as the medium through which these ideas take shape. The pieces invite viewers to confront societal narratives surrounding success and femininity while reflecting on their own experiences with these ideals. By transforming cultural icons into wearable objects, Dolls examines the intersection of public spectacle and private identity.
My approach to materials remains grounded in their personal and cultural histories. Whether working with pearls, fabric, or unconventional art-making materials, I imbue each piece with layered meanings that connect individual and collective experiences. The materials in Dolls evoke glamour, fragility, and resilience, reflecting the tensions inherent in celebrity and societal expectations.
This work holds particular significance as it was my first solo exhibition, presented during Munich Jewellery Week in March 2024. Dolls represents a milestone in my artistic career, marking years of growth and evolution. By transforming adornment into a form of storytelling, this series invites viewers to reflect on themes of dependency, fame, and selfhood. Dolls bridges the personal and the cultural, using jewelry as a medium for dialogue, connection, and introspection.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
To me, risk-taking is an essential part of both art-making and personal growth. Stepping outside of your comfort zone—whether by experimenting with a new material, addressing deeply personal subjects, or making significant life changes—opens the door to transformation and discovery. I view risk as a way to embrace uncertainty with intention and purpose.
Currently, I am embracing risk by integrating digital tools, such as 3D printing, into my work. This process is reshaping how I approach materials and altering the way I conduct research. While I am uncertain where this exploration will ultimately lead, I am excited by the opportunity to experiment with new techniques and methods. At the same time, I am incorporating themes of connection and ancestry into this work as a way of exploring why we are drawn to study our familial histories.
Ancestry offers a deeper understanding of identity, connecting us to stories that shape who we are in ways we may not fully realize. By engaging with the lives of my ancestors, I hope to gain insight into their lived experiences. This exploration is about understanding the broader human experience—how past generations navigated the world and faced challenges that have shaped the present. Through this work, I use art as a tool to reflect on the significance of human connections.
I believe risk is essential for meaningful progress. Through risk-taking, I have learned the most about myself and my artistic journey. Not every risk has led to success, but each one has provided valuable lessons and broadened my perspective. Ultimately, I view risk as an act of trust in the idea that even failure can lead to growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.viviennevaray.com
- Instagram: viviennevaray
Image Credits
Vivienne Varay