Tumbling--Current Exhibition
If you follow me on Insta, you might have seen these recently, and I believe that I promised a story……
Every year, the Craft Council of BC presents a fundraising Earring Show/Exhibition, which this year opens on May 5th. I first took part in 2020, in a virtual exhibition. I had originally planned to submit these earrings in 2021, but pandemic malaise had seriously set in, and I didn’t manage it. So, this year I was determined to make them and put them in for the show.
As I’ve mentioned before, alot of my work examines the duality of the human immune system; the positive defense aspect and the darker, self-consuming aspect. I mainly d this by the use of different finishes and colours. These contrasts are a nod at the idea that while these cells primarily defend the body, sometimes they turn against the self and become the destroyers.
The amorphous and organic forms are representative of the heterogenous and changing dynamics of the cells of the immune system, as well as the responses that they carry out in infection and disease.
All species have some form of immune system, however, the shapes, types and sizes/functions of the cells that participate in these systems are subtly different. The final Tumbling earrings are one-of-a-kind, in sterling silver, with garnets and needled felt.
They are inspired by the shape of chicken red blood cells (which are nucleated, unlike mammalian red blood cells), and mammalian lymphocytes and monocytes. In four sections, each earring is composed of two parts, joined by a hinge. The kinetic movement, and their asymmetric design are meant to give the impression of flow, as cells in the blood are constantly on the move, and can also attach and "tumble" along the inside of blood vessels. (If you’re interested, the British Society of Immunology has some really well done explanations.)
Check out the full show here.
And…these are pretty big, and although they definitely make a statement, they’re not for everyone! If you’re interested in smaller scale version, get in contact, and let’s start a conversation!
Re-stock of earrings and rings
I’ve done a bit of re-stock of my asummetric earrings, and some new topaz stacking rings (I love blue”).
Like what you see, or feel like something different? Drop me a line, and let’s talk!