Robert Baines’ 2017 brooch “Hey True Blue” is a kaleidoscope of woven wirework and powder-coated form, occupying a generous volume of space through intricate layers and interlocking loops. Silver, gold, and painted surfaces wrap and knot into a dense topography of architectural delicacy, a tangle that celebrates the structural play of line and lattice. The composition appears simultaneously engineered and spontaneous, a visual paradox that invites prolonged study.
Formally, the piece recalls the ancient craftsmanship of filigree, yet it is distinctly contemporary in scale and surface. The light-catching geometry and gentle sheen of the powder coating suggest both reverence for classical goldsmithing and a desire to interrogate it. The object functions as a wearable relic of invented history—an artifact that reimagines the past rather than replicating it. This piece encourages viewers to reconsider notions of permanence, authorship, and cultural value.
Eating Diamonds 
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