MISSION STATEMENT
We are more than a studio; we are a movement—a movement that honors tradition, challenges convention and seeks to redefine the boundaries of contemporary art. With craftsmanship as our foundation and the spirit of dissent as our guide, we are committed to leaving an indelible mark on the art world, society, and the world at large.
Together, we create contemporary artwork with historical craft, a testament to the enduring power of human creativity and expression.
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We believe that diversity fosters creativity, and our collaborations reflect the kaleidoscope of ideas and experiences that make our community vibrant.
We draw inspiration from the British Crafts Movement, a celebrated epoch in the world of art and craftsmanship. Like the pioneers of this movement, we uphold the ethos of meticulous craftsmanship, celebrating the union of form and function in every piece we create. Our hands-on approach to artistry harkens back to an era when artisans were revered for their dedication to mastering their craft. We believe that the soulful touch of a human hand can imbue art with a profound sense of authenticity and connection.
In the spirit of The Third Avant-garde, we recognize that art is not just a medium for aesthetic pleasure; it is a powerful tool for provoking thought, challenging norms, and expressing discontent. We harness this spirit to infuse every creation with purpose and a message. Our art seeks to stir emotions, spark conversations, and catalyze change. We stand as a contemporary voice for artistic activism, echoing the avant-garde's mission to disrupt and inspire.
At Copper Rivet Studios, we are storytellers as much as we are artists. Our work is a reflection of our commitment to crafting contemporary narratives rooted in historical craft. We seamlessly blend traditional techniques with modern innovation, creating pieces that bridge the gap between past and present. Our art is a testament to the enduring relevance of craftsmanship in an ever-evolving world.
Written by
Fia Pitre
Co-Founder & CEO, Copper Rivet Studios
Signed by
Copper Rivet Studios Founders:
Fia Pitre
Kiran J. Schwaebe
Carly Murakami
Bronze Orchids
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Bronze Orchids •
“We will put back the means of production into the hands of working artists!”
– Kiran J. Schwaebe (CRS founding member)
Indigowind
By CRS: Fia Pitre & Kiran J. Schwaebe
A bespoke aluminum sculptural commission
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
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Seeking knowledge through making, to uncover identity and the subconscious, Carly Murakami is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised on O’ahu, Hawai’i. Her work is a response of self-defense, focusing on the many ways one can protect themselves. Through materials such as glass and photography, various modes of self-preservation are depicted through intimate findings of self-worth.
Murakami tackles the intrusive thoughts of anticipation, fear, life, protection, and potential energy through her process; her cultural upbringing is imprinted on everything she fabricates, and is bred through images and thoughts manifested into a sculptural form or photography.
After graduating from California College of the Arts with a BFA in Glass, she resides in Oakland. Her first solo exhibition “Modes of Self-Preservation”, was shown in Bayview, San Francisco, at the Bordeaux Building in May 2022. She is currently a Sculptor’s Assistant, Floral Designer Assistant, and a Co-Founder of Copper Rivet Studios LLC, Oakland, CA.
Our Best Laid Plans
– Fia Pitre
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“I pound rocks, burnt bones, and ashes to make my own handmade pigments.
originally from Honolulu, Hawaii much of my work was inspired by the lush beauty of the islands but also the fragility of a landscape confronted by the onslaught of climate change. witnessing human-made environmental damage and shifts informs my painting practice, and I seek to investigate: How can beauty and devastation coexist? and; how can art be a tool for healing human-made climate impacts?
since moving to the West Coast in 2015, my focus has tightened on the incredible biodiversity of California and the impacts of the growing water and fire crises, including their disastrous and lasting effects on indigenous and threatened communities and ecosystems. within my lifetime I have witnessed the beaches I grew up playing on disappearing, deforestation, rampant mono-cropping, record-breaking storms and fires, and global disregard for the environment which has led us to this pivotal point in the history of our planet. I am inspired by the romantic era of landscape painting, whose images of pristine Yosemite Valley and beautiful untouched wildernesses have influenced me throughout my artistic journey.
yet this era of landscape painting is fueled by colonialism, stealing of native lands, industrialization, and idealized imagery of landscapes, that fueled an era of violence and manifest destiny. the iconography of this era such as furs and bones, and figures like the jackrabbit, beaver, bison, and rat often serve as entry points for viewers to experience the depicted environment through these creatures' perspectives.
my art practice focuses on researching the specific landscapes I am depicting, often following fire scars or rivers deep into forests, and collecting mineral samples from these locations to make pigments that I incorporate into my oil paintings. through this process of first-hand documentation, research, and material harvesting, these elements of the physical landscape inform the content of my paintings, taking a journalistic approach to documentation and depiction of the environments.
I believe artwork has the power to both entice and educate viewers. through my artwork, I unite research-driven imagery and gathered mineral pigments with a cinematic and colorful visual language to highlight the tensions and encourage conversation about the future of our planet. “
– Fia Pitre
Indigowind
A bespoke sculptural commission.
Belvedere Tiburon, CA. 11’ solid aluminum. Permanently installed.