Mary Beth Piper is a metal artist living in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Piper works mainly in sterling silver with freshwater pearl accents. She is interested in making unique, textured jewellery that explores our relationship with the natural world. Piper’s work has been exhibited at the Government House and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. She attended NBCCD and graduated with a diploma in jewellery and metal arts in 2018, as well as with a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2011. Piper’s artistic career blossomed from an existential crisis regarding a political theory thesis and her love for tiny sculptures, and she’s managed to grow both of those together in her art practice

Lichenthropy is centered mainly on the exploration of an organic design philosophy, both in its creation and the textures and shapes it takes on. I create work that juxtaposes the brightness of high polish with dark oxidization, and the geometry of a raised dome with salt casting techniques that create forms that look alive. I work with molten metal and unconventional casting surfaces to create small objects combined with handmade findings to create jewelry that can never be repeated. I am most inspired by the deep sea and overgrown buildings, with the concept of growth being integral to my work.