Meet Kirra Hellfritsch | Metalsmith & Interdisciplinary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kirra Hellfritsch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirra, how do you think about risk?
Risks open doors. And sometimes they close doors, but perhaps that wasn’t your door. Move on and don’t be afraid to try another risk. In the art world, almost every move is a risk because we create our own structure in which to move forward. I’ve always loved making and I’ve always loved art. I almost moved out of art to pursue a more academic path, seeing my friends around me put down their creative endeavors in an effort to get more serious and plan for the future. It took a photography teacher to sit me down, and tell me I am an artist, and to go do art! One year later I transferred to a private art school with no money, no financial backing, no five-year plan besides school, and that was the best decision of my life. I learned so much, not only about my craft but about myself and what I am capable of.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My jewelry work is an observation of mark making during process and a constant exploration of different types of craft in metal. While creating my pieces, I am not afraid of leaving imperfections as that is something I find so glorious in the craft. Imperfections should be celebrated as they are things we can never anticipate but remain as the signature of handiwork. My work hints at a process, it tells a story, it adds a personalization that makes each piece so unique that it could not be recreated. Along with imperfections, I am constantly inspired by many traditional crafts. Weaving, ceramics, textiles, forging, etc…; many of these crafts I like to replicate aspects in my own metalsmithing as an ode to history and human innovation.
Working with metal like fabric is a process I am very excited to continue exploring. The juxtaposition of a hard material like metal being worked in a soft material way shows an intersection of two opposite crafts coming together. My future work will continue to investigate the different types of relationships between metal and other materials.
Lessons I have learned along the way is to embrace imperfections, and take risks as they can often expand your work and widen your range. It also helps with peace of mind, not taking yourself so seriously.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them hiking on some trailheads in Forest Park. Watch the sunset at Anarchy beach or the overlook that looks out over the Willamette river. Portland is full of many delicious food and drink spots, but I’d probably go to Campana in the Woodlawn neighborhood for some absolutely delicious Italian food. Plenty of places to find local music as well. See if Ural Thomas is preforming somewhere; a local soul legend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off got to give my mama, Linda Hellfritsch, some love. She is an amazing painter and artist herself and gave me the creative and wild child upbringing, all while being a single parent. Susan Hoisington and Victoria May, both professors and artists from Cabrillo College, who gave me straight up life advice during an indecisive moment of my life as well as inspiring me with their own incredible art. My professors from California College of the Arts, Marilyn Da Silva, Curtis Arima, David Cole all contributed mentorship and encouragement throughout my time at school after.

Website: kirrahellfritsch.com

Instagram: @forestfancyjewelry

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/forestfancyjewelry