Jowita Allen (USA) repurposes non-biodegradable waste, industrial rubber, and plastic from discarded containers into lightweight, playful, and sustainable jewelry. Her interest in recycling began in her native Poland, where she experienced the necessity of reuse due to the scarcity of goods under communism. She deepened her understanding of recycling while studying cultural anthropology at the University of Frankfurt in Germany. After relocating to the United States, she pursued her passion for transforming plastic into jewelry at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at George Washington University.
Allen challenges traditional notions of jewelry as symbols of material wealth and status, instead redefining value through innovative forms and sustainable materials. Her work reflects a commitment to environmental consciousness, offering a compelling commentary on the impact of single-use plastics while reimagining their potential as objects of beauty and significance.
