Artist Bio

Abigail (Abi) Furr is a queer nonbinary Metalsmithing and Jewelry student at the University of North Texas. They are currently based in Denton, TX, where they work as a student technician at the UNT College of Visual Arts’ Digital Fabrication Lab as they finish their BFA in Studio Art: Metalsmithing and Jewelry. In the past few years, they have worked as both a silversmithing intern at The Edward Bohlin Company (2024) and as the Summer repairs intern for the Conservation Lab at the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee (2025). Abi currently serves as the UNT Metal Club’s Event Coordinator and is also an active member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths and the Dallas Makerspace Jewelry Studio.

When Abi took their first official jewelry class at UNT in the Fall of 2022, it was not only love (or passion?) at first sight, but also a reintroduction to a craft they had been previously enamored with in childhood. They note trays upon trays of plastic, glass, and clay beads that are currently stored in a cabinet in their childhood bedroom in Pearland, Texas. They fondly recall outings with their mother, aunts, and grandmother to artist markets and fairs, house shows of vibrant art jewelry, and the gem and mineral hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Nostalgia, storytelling, histories, and mythologies all play a significant role in Abi’s current body of work, exploring the relationship between civilization’s past and present while also questioning the building blocks of individual identity.

Downloadable CV

Artist Statement

As a recent graduate of the Metalsmithing and Jewelry BFA program at UNT, my research and artistic process has been heavily influenced by the ancient origins of jewelry and the history of symbolism in both visual art and storytelling. While jewelry has evolved over the centuries in terms of style and technique, it has always been a mode of nonverbal communication, whether that be of societal status, interpersonal relationships, or self-expression. Simultaneously, metal as a medium seems to transcend time; in addition to its long history of use and value, metal has a stubborn physical longevity. Many metalsmithing techniques that are taught today are identifiable in artifacts, and when combined with modern technologies and processes, a conversation across time is forged.

In my own artistic practice, I use metal and jewelry forms to explore and revitalize older symbols and stories, examining how they have evolved and continue to affect modern society and contemporary works. The main concepts I have been engaging with in my artwork recently have been rebirth and transformation, even delving into more naturalistic metamorphosis.

Working primarily with copper and sterling silver, I tend to use a lot of hammer texturing, wire weaving, chain fabrication, vitreous enameling, and patination to create wearable pieces that explore the interplay of naturalistic and mythical symbology in storytelling within a context spanning from ancient to contemporary mythos.

Explore My Work

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

Electric!

Greater Denton Arts Council

"The Greater Denton Arts Council and the University of North Texas present the second annual Electric! — a one-night-only light art exhibition showcasing the creativity of student artists from UNT’s College of Visual Arts and Design (CVAD). This exhibition features student artwork from Professor Alicia Eggert’s Art in Public class and Professor Chris Meerdo’s New Media Senior Studio." (https://dentonarts.com/electric)

Healing Arts

Grand Opening Art Market @ Greenspace

Join us in welcoming Healing Arts, a new locally owned art therapy practice to Denton! Local art vendors, wellness and self-care businesses, and more will be featured in the grand opening market!

September 6th, 11am-2pm

UNT Metals Club

1st Meeting of the Semester!

Come and Learn what our student organization is all about! UNT Metals Club is a student-run group of metalsmithing and jewelry enthusiests at the UNiversity of North Texas. Our organization is dedicated to helping emerging artists in this field build community, network, gain experience advocating for their work to the public, learning new techniques, and so much more!

Meetings for Fall 2025 will be held on Wednesdays after 5pm,

More information soon to come!

Square-d 2025 @ UNT CoLab

Last year, I was introduced to the lovely annual fundraiser, square-d, hosted by UNT CoLab, and this year I had to participate again! All proceeds from this fundraising community exhibition go directly to the UNT Food Pantry; artists purchase a canvas for $5 and the reception kicked off the silent auction in which each piece starts at $25. This year I recycled the remnants of my paper sculpture 'Metamorphosis,' giving the project a second life and furthering it's exploration of transformation. The exhibition will remain on display until July 26th.

Metal Museum Summer Internship

For the first half of Summer 2025, I have had the honor of working as an intern at the National Ornamental Metal Museum under their repair specialist, Kevin Burge. I would like to thank the folks at the Metal Museum for providing me with this opportunity, Kevin for being such a wonderful mentor, the metals shop cats for being cute and feisty, and my family for their unwavering support as I pursue my passions.

Go Metals!