Artist

BETTY HELEN LONGHI
FLUID EXPRESSIONS IN METAL
STATEMENT

I am fascinated by the qualities of light, color and reflection that are possible in metal and the sense
of preciousness and celebration these surfaces impart. Forming and forging the metal are my preferred
ways of working as these methods best allow me to make the fluid lines I prefer.
There is great satisfaction in producing a flowing graceful form from a hard flat sheet of metal
or a stiff straight piece of wire. More recently I have been embellishing the surfaces by carving.
This gives a rich complex pattern which is pleasing to the touch as well as to the eye.
My inspiration is from nature: the curve of a branch, the crest of a breaking wave or the texture of stone.
For me the line is everything - whether it is created by light reflecting from the curve of a polished surface,
the edge of a form or the contrast of the intersection of two surfaces,
it must be able to generate a sense of excitement and energy for the piece to work for me.

There are three activities I love: sailing, dancing, and creating in metal and all of these are interconnected.
The forms of sails and waves show up in my designs and when I move on the dance floor
I have been told that my dancing looks like my work. I like the idea that our creations come from our inner self,
and how we express them is only a matter of choice, the message remains the same.

There are two ways in which I hope my work will speak to people.
The first is the expression of beauty and the way in which beauty can uplift the human spirit.
The second comes from my study of Buddhism and my strong wish to create work which will give
an aura of peace as an antidote to the troubled times we are living in.
I am pursuing this through my most recent pieces which are Miniature Zen Gardens
and are intended to function as objects for meditation.
I feel a strong sense of commitment to this direction.
This to me is the gift we as artists have to give.

To see a video of Betty Helen talking about her work and demonstrating the forming process
click here

BETTY HELEN LONGHI

Betty Helen Longhi is a nationally recognized metalsmith who creates finely crafted jewelry
and sculpture in gold, silver, and niobium and pewter.
A master craftsman, Ms. Longhi incorporates various texturing techniques with forging,
shell forming and die forming in her pieces. Her work is recognized for it's sculptural quality,
flowing lines and subtle use of anodized niobium as a source of color.
Ms. Longhi's work has been exhibited at the Virginia Museum, Delaware Art Museum,
American Craft Museum, South East Center for Contemporary Art and the
Renwick Gallery Museum Shop as well as numerous retail galleries.
She has marketed her work through the American Craft Council Fairs and
Philadelphia and Smithsonian Craft Shows.
Ms. Longhi is a Distinguished Member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
She has received a number of awards including an Individual Artist Fellowship
funded by the Delaware State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
A much sought after teacher, Ms. Longhi has lectured on Shell Forming for the
Society of North American Goldsmiths and been guest artist at the Univ. of Wisconsin
and the Maryland Institute of Art.
She has taught at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School,
Parsons School of Design, Peters Valley Craft Center
and many more training centers in the USA and Canada.
She maintains a studio and retail sales space in her lakeside home near Lexington, NC.

Click Here For Artist's Resume

top of page