It has been slow, but continuous progress bit of a stop and go as our location and circumstances allowed me to work on it. These abandoned thongs travelled with us across four continents and finally found their permanent home in Australia in my home studio. I have played with different arrangements and finally decided on two different styles to start with. It is very repetitive work that doesn’t involve too much concentration and therefore it allows you to zoom out and take the time to think deeply about the concept itself.
I am excited to report that I was a part of In The Drawer, a group exhibition featuring in Radiant Pavilion Melbourne Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennale. The exhibition was curated by Robyn Wernicke and was held at Small Space Jewellery, 365a St Georges Rd Fitzroy North, Northcoat, VIC from 7th to 28th September 2019.
The concept behind the two brooches that I have designed and made specifically for this exhibition was based on my childhood memories and experiences. The forbidden drawers in my mothers’ wardrobe were not only full of beautiful and colourful antique silk scarves but were also a piece of art itself. The wardrobe inherited from my grandmother was a beauty. It is a well-made polished piece of wooden furniture that perfectly operates even after 100 years of use. Draws nicely and smoothly slide in and out and doors perfectly fit and close even after years of being abused by curious toddlers.
As a child, I was not allowed to play with the perfectly ironed and folded scarves stored in this wardrobe. Not because I would pause a danger to the scarves, but because I always made a mess. I was never able to fold them back as perfectly as my mum could. Many times I secretly opened the wardrobe and then spend ages to put everything back into its original order…..my mum always knew. Till today, whenever I visit my mum, I open her draws and search through her scarves…..and ….leave them messy as I used to.
Interestingly, I have received the acceptance to participate in this group exhibition just when I was in Brazil on my way to the Czech Republic to visit my family. I was able to get some recycled beautiful Imbuia, native Brazilian hardwood from my partner’s family member. Imbuia was traditionally used for high-quality furniture, but unfortunately due to its quality and beauty, it has been over lodged and it became rare. I started working on the brooches in Brazil and finished them in Prague, where I received one of my mother’s scarves to use for the brooches.
