Jewellery from the forest

This series of jewellery is inspired by eastern european folk lore and my fascination with Polish and European history.

Here is my artist statement from the diploma of jewellery I just completed:

Through the exploration of Eastern European and Slavic Folklore, my aim for this project has been to create a series of work that encompasses and discusses the notions of belonging. I am fascinated by the idea of perishing tradition, and how this modern world has become consumed by the temporary and disposable. What happened to the beauty of culture and how tradition was imbedded into society with a sense of permanency?

As a first generation child of Polish migrants, I have focussed this body of work on the concept of the ephemeral. Through the process of exploration, I have consumed myself with the romanticism of Polish customs, folklore, history, mythology, religion (both Christianity and Judaism), music and traditional food in the hopes to rediscover the loss of my homeland. In doing so, my intention has been to focus on the juxtaposition between the temporary natures of tradition in this society against the strong foundation of Eastern European tradition, also binding with the idea of how metal performs with a sense of permanency.

In the processes of learning and making, I have created work that references many East European traditions and religious ceremonies. The two wedding bands of architecture represent rings that were used in Jewish weddings, where the bride and groom would be given bands that had small houses or synagogues on the top. However here, I have incorporated churches to reference Polish Catholicism and to also suggest the tensions of the two conflicting ideologies. Another example is the lantern, which symbolises the All Saints’ Day, a Catholic tradition where flowers and lanterns would be placed in cemeteries all around Poland to honour the dead. The locket of Ephemerality, which is the feature piece in this body of work, represents the sacredness of memory and references the rare locket buttons found in world war one that were worn by soldiers to hide miniature compasses for navigation. All these concepts focus on the idea of ‘returning’. Whether it’s through faith, light or even a compass. Through these objects and vessels, it has been my ultimate aim to gain a greater understanding of belonging in the hopes of finding and perhaps even returning to my European homeland.

Laying on the forest floor,

Sweet houses

of haunted nights appear

Here are my Jewish/Christian juxtaposition wedding ceremony rings.

They are both hand crafted and sawed out of sterling silver. The male ring (on left) has a patina finish giving it a darker appearance. The female ring is matt polished with a garnet tube setting.

Set: $690.00

Castles of midnight,

and church windows

shudder,

In memory of the old.

Here is another close up of the male wedding ring band made from sterling silver and oxidised with a faint patina finish. Contact me if you are interested in a custom made ring, even for casual wear.

Custom made castle/church ring: $340.00

With garnet bezel: $390.00