Objects and things
Beautiful object.
Giza, Egypt 2500 - 2350 BC
Wooden comb, 'found in the head wrappings of the mummy of a woman'.
From
‘Conversations with Worn Objects’ Blog series- Subhadra
This is the fourth interview in my series, Conversations with Worn Objects.
This is a series about tracing the life of objects once they have left my studio, so I can revisit and reflect on them from the perspective of the wearer.
This is a series about tracing the life of objects once they have left my studio, so I can revisit and reflect on them from the perspective of the wearer.
1. Why did you choose this particular
piece of jewellery?
I
didn't, a beautiful ex partner of mine commissioned it as a birthday present,
it was a surprise. He is still a really close friend of mine. I don't think he
chose it either, other than the colour of the stone. It has a stunning little blue
sapphire, like the ocean, the place we are always happiest together. But I like
that I didn't choose it, I am terribly indecisive.
2. Tell me about the experience of wearing
this piece?
The
ring was made while I was overseas, and keeping with the surprise couldn't ask
me my size. The ring took a while to find its place on my hands, it was too big
for the ones I usually adorned, but I didn't want to get it resized either. It
found its way to my thumb eventually, which I thought was fitting because he is
my base, stable and strong. The silver has worn shiny with wear and edges
soffened too as it moulds to my hands.
3. What story does the jewellery piece
tell, what is its significance to you?
The
ring tells of loss, another ring of yours that I misplaced. From what I have
heard, he wanted to commission one in its image, I had been quite upset when I
realised it didn't want to be found. But neither of you could remember what it
had looked like, there were no drawings or photos.
I
remember the day so well that he gave it to me, the first day of sun in London
after a long winter, we sat, two homesick Australians, in the courtyard of the Barbican Centre.
Incidentally
I found the lost ring a couple of months later, whilst still in London, it had accompanied
me everywhere I travelled since, tucked in the crevasses of a much travelled
suitcase.
I
had imagined where it had ended up many times, what the person who found it
would have thought of the intricate inscriptions, undulating surfaces, the
warmth of wearing it, like a hug. I wear them together now, on the same finger,
reminders of each others importance.
4. What about my practice drew you to
commission your piece?
My
mother drew me to your work, pieces of hers you had made that I had never seen
the like of before. Complex, intricate, imbued with meaning through surface and
texture.
Your
jewellery is like artefacts.
You
can see the makers hand- your mark it present in every piece, I love that it is
a process of discovery. A dance between the interior and exterior, the discreet
markings on the inside, the wearers secret. The celestial ring has this
beautifully twisted band that seems like it had warped with age. I guess you
bring presence to objects and material, then you allow the wearer to make it
their own.
Inspiration
Neo-Assyrian Amethyst Vase, c. 8th century BC
Gold funerary mask, 19cm high and 24.4cm wide. Calima culture, found in Columbia. 5th - 1st century BC.
Both images from Chemin Faisant
Friday
A morning visit from a special friend bearing gifts, is the best way to start the day.
The flower gift now my welcome door charm.
A pipe cleaner piece in the living room. A story with colours and lines.
This hanging box, was an old Chinese brick mould. Now it holds objects and things.
This is an old Chinese incense box, that now holds my keys, as well as other things.
All things that fill this Friday.
ordinary objects
I have just finished teaching a summer school at RMIT.
This is a quote that I use in one of the projects that I set. I keep going back to it.
“I suppose I am interested
above all in investigating the golden ability of the artist to achieve a
metamorphosis of quite ordinary things into something wonderful and
extraordinary that is neither nonsensical nor morally edifying… the sublime of
everyday life. I seek to stress all that is wonderful or ambiguous in the most
ordinary objects. I try to subject these objects, which are basic materials…to
more than one metamorphosis”
Eduardo
Paolozzi
Apologies for slow correspondence, I am still catching up on things, from last year! my move and 2013 work.
Sunday
It's hot.
I am thinking of closing my Facebook business and personal pages.
The computer takes up too much time.
Maybe I will go old school and only have this blog (and website). I hardly get here these days, and one less computer time thing would be nice.
I just read an article on Maira Kalman, a hero of mine, in the latest Dumbo Feather magazine. She is not on Facebook, and seems to be doing just fine.
Good quote from article, by her late husband:
"Design, is just a language and the real issue is what you use that language to do."
Tibor Kalman
Workbench, Tuesday 5 February 2013
On the shelf on my workbench.
Some of what I look at everyday.
Technology
I have been technologically challenged lately.
Computer crash, lead to new computer. Not really knowing how to use new computer and refusing to read manuals etc (as with camera) has lead to a month or more of using pen and paper. And turning the computer on then off again, and making irrational phone calls to computer people.
So some google and tutorials has lead me back to this space.
During this time, I have also become addicted to Pinterest, which I have been able to do on iPad, easier to use than computer.
I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing, but it has indulged me in my love of images, and it has unexpectedly lead me back to books to begin new research and to seek out new lines of inspiration.
So to begin my new computer life, here are some of my favourite Pinterest images:
All images and sources can be found at Pinterest here.
Computer crash, lead to new computer. Not really knowing how to use new computer and refusing to read manuals etc (as with camera) has lead to a month or more of using pen and paper. And turning the computer on then off again, and making irrational phone calls to computer people.
So some google and tutorials has lead me back to this space.
During this time, I have also become addicted to Pinterest, which I have been able to do on iPad, easier to use than computer.
I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing, but it has indulged me in my love of images, and it has unexpectedly lead me back to books to begin new research and to seek out new lines of inspiration.
So to begin my new computer life, here are some of my favourite Pinterest images:
All images and sources can be found at Pinterest here.
Objects and things
Tile: Iznik, Turkey c.1580
Tile: Turkey c. 1550 - 1600
Tile:
Damascus, Syria c.1550 - 1600
From the Victoria and Albert Museum
I am working on a new body of work for an exhibition that opens next month. I have been looking at many objects and things as part of my research for this show. All these inspiration images form part of my visual research.
More inspiration
Wooden joints, Finland.
Minoan dolphins, Late Bronze Age, Knossos
Both images from here
The most beautiful sea:
hasn't been crossed yet.
The most beautiful child:
hasn't grown up yet.
Our most beautiful days:
we haven't seen yet.
And the most beautiful words I wanted to tell you
I haven't said yet...
Nazim Hikmet Ran
hasn't been crossed yet.
The most beautiful child:
hasn't grown up yet.
Our most beautiful days:
we haven't seen yet.
And the most beautiful words I wanted to tell you
I haven't said yet...
Nazim Hikmet Ran
Words from here
Research
Royal Girdle with Symbolic Insignia (Yet)
D.R. Congo, Bushong people
20th century
Dress
Tajikistan, Hisar valley, early 20th century
Pendant Decorated with a Bust and Two Sphinxes
Vani, Western Georgia, ca. 330 B.C.
Gold 4.1 cm
All images from the The Curated Object
Pair of Temple Rings with Bird and Acorn Finials
Vani, Western Georgia, ca. 330 B.C.
Gold 10 cm
