LAGUNA BEACH, CA.- Laguna Art Museum is hosting Modern Alchemy, an exhibition showcasing the fusion of art, nature and innovation in the jewelry designs of the renowned designer, Adam Neeley. The first-ever decorative arts show at LAM is on view from today through July 29, 2024.
Adam Neeley, an award-winning artist-jeweler, skillfully combines traditional goldsmith techniques with cutting-edge technologies to transform precious metals and gemstones into wearable masterpieces. His unparalleled designs draw inspiration from the diverse shapes and colors found in the natural world, a passion ignited during his childhood rock-collecting adventures. Neeley's artistic journey led him to study under master goldsmiths in Italy, where he honed his craft and developed a distinctive style, earning him international acclaim and prestigious awards within the jewelry industry. Throughout years of experimentation, Neeley pioneered the groundbreaking SpectraGold™ technique, a never-before-seen process seamlessly transitioning one color of gold into another. Achieved through a meticulous forging process, this technique produces a subtle gradient, or ombré, of color—from yellow gold to white gold and beyond. Neeley's innovation, coupled with his creation of entirely new gold colors, evokes the essence of a modern-day alchemist.
"Adam Neeley's Modern Alchemy is a testament to the transformative power of art. Neeley's ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with his original SpectraGold™ technique will take you on a journey where each piece becomes a unique expression of alchemical beauty,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director, Laguna Art Museum. “We are excited to present Modern Alchemy as the first-ever decorative arts show at Laguna Art Museum."
Modern Alchemy delves into the creative processes of this visionary jeweler, showcasing Neeley’s unique techniques and the use of raw and faceted gems and minerals in his art. Collaborating with world-class lapidaries, including the esteemed Stephen Avery, Neeley crafts imaginative pieces that transcend contemporary designs, transporting admirers into a realm of dreams and fantasy inspired by his boundless imagination and the world around him. Adam Neeley truly stands as a twenty-first-century alchemist, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression in the realm of jewelry.
Neeley has received numerous accolades in the jewelry industry, including 13 AGTA Spectrum Awards, 2 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards, 11 MJSA Vision Awards, 2 Tahitian Pearl Trophies and 2 President’s Trophies. Additionally, he has been honored with a Vision Award from the CPAA, a Saul Bell Design Award and has earned over a dozen top-of-category and Best of Show recognitions at prestigious fine art shows across the United States. As a dedicated member of the American Jewelry Design Council, Neeley collaborates with other leading American designers to elevate jewelry into an art form. His piece “South Sea Glow” is a part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection.
“Modern Alchemy explores my journey as an artist. From early years of gemstone cutting & silversmithing, to developing my own unique design aesthetic & inventing new gold colors. This exhibition features displays to excite audiences of all ages and share the magical world of the jewelry arts,” said Adam Neeley.
Adam Neeley
For more than 25 years, California-based jewelry designer, gemologist, and goldsmith, Adam Neeley has established a reputation for crafting jewelry of unparalleled artistry and design. Neeley’s innovative spirit and fiery creativity, combined with technical mastery, has garnered numerous major design awards as well as the attention of museums and elite collectors.
