As I’ve finished writting about RMIT Year 1, it’s time to move on to Year 2.
Second year, first semester, Jewellery, project #1: ‘Rings? … Breaking Conventions’
As is obvious by the name of the project, we were asked to turn the ‘ring’ as a jewellery item on its head.
While it looks like this body work evolved directly from the ‘weaving’ project in first year; however I did actually explore quite a number of other options and avenues before I did settle on the weaving.
The below images are of the finished, refined pieces (the photographs were taken at the time, and were poorly lit, which given my rudimentary knowledge of iPhoto haven’t completely been rectified!). The first pieces I made were play / models, which were just paper and secured with staples – which of course I continued into the final pieces due to its natural connection to the paper material. I also did a few initial pieces with the plastic ‘gems’ from corkboard tacks…
black fancy ring; image not to be reproduced without permission
The one above is my favourite, but completely impractical to wear unless you’re happy just to sit still and stare at it. It makes a beautiful sculpture.
morse rings; image not to be reproduced without permission
Morse code rings text are two lines from the poem ‘Beannacht (for Josie)‘
On the day when the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window
and the ghost of loss gets in to you,
may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green and azure blue
come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays in the curach of thought
and a stain of ocean blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you,
an invisible cloak to mind your life.
from “Anam Cara, A Book of Celtic Wisdom” and also “Beannacht” (Bantum books, 2007) by John O’Donohue (Irish theologian)
red/white rings; image not to be reproduced without permission
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… more images below …
second year, woven ring (paper, fine silver)
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Melbourne Jeweller 