Maria Godinez

Maria Rosa Godinez had always been interested in art, but it wasn’t until she took a jewelry and metalsmithing class in her first year of high school that she finally found her passion. Metalsmithing was different. It was tangible, and Maria Rosa could clearly see with immediacy the cause and effects of her actions when manipulating materials. Jewelry quickly became a central part of her life.  Maria Rosa earned her Associate degree with honors from Johnson County Community College in the spring of 2021. She then transferred to the University of Kansas, where she graduated in the spring of 2023 with a B.F.A. in Metalsmithing and Jewelry. Maria Rosa is currently continuing her journey at the University of Kansas to pursue her M.F.A. degree in Metalsmithing and Jewelry.

Jewelry is inherently connected to memory. It is used to memorialize important life events and is meant to be passed down. Rings, necklaces, and other wearables take on a rich history, developing new life and meaning with each generation. Furthermore, as jewelry is worn on the body, it develops an innately intimate relationship with its wearer, at times becoming an extension of self. Maria Rosa views jewelry as a physical recollection of one's life, tied to hundreds of memories. She investigates this deep-rooted connection by letting her memories shape her metalsmithing, allowing her to bring to life a variety of jewelry pieces. By doing this, she aims to have her work serve as a vessel for her memories. Maria Rosa’s work blends abstract and pictorial elements. The fluidity and presence of movement in her work illustrate the influx and shifting nature of experiences as they change in clarity and value with time. In her enamel works, she slowly reclaims memory by building it layer by layer, carving out small details, and pulling the ambiguously hazy image into focus. She strives to create work that sparks conversations and triggers memories, acting as a form of communication that facilitates empathy and relationships.