Nikki Couppee is originally from Pensacola Beach, Florida and is currently residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received an M.F.A. from Kent State University, Jewelry/Metals, Kent, Ohio, 2011 and a B.F.A. from the University of Georgia, Athens Georgia, Jewelry/Metals, 2007.
In her work, Nikki seeks to create opulent jewelry that is reminiscent of royal jewelry but made using her own versions of gemstones from common, non-precious materials instead of precious stones and metals. Through labor-intensive processes, Plexiglas, brass, synthetic materials, resin, and found objects are employed to create industrial counterfeits or stand-ins for gemstones and gold. Holograms and faux silver and gold foil are used underneath the stones to add luster, referencing paste diamonds and rhinestones. Nikki hand fabricates settings to further reference the language of fine jewelry, with the intention of elevating the work. With the use of these everyday materials, she is able to exaggerate the size and abundance of gemstones to parody or poke fun at the class issues inherent in fine jewelry.
