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.
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
