Emily Elizabeth - Vancouver, BC - Alumni 2010

Theme "True Colours",
A piece inspired by First Nations Hamatsa Masks,
titled "DANCE OF THE MAN EATING BIRD"

 

 

 

The meaning of Jewellery

 

 

Wearing jewellery has a much deeper meaning than most people know, realize or can imagine. It represents personal feelings in form, color and medium as well as how somebody wants to be seen as a human being in society. 

Size, form, and the position of jewellery can reveal very much about the wearer because it is also the individual’s way of expressing his or her views and method of interacting with others.

Jewellery, or the decorating of the human body, has had similar purposes since the early ages. Social gatherings, festivities and events as well as the preparation and execution of fights/wars were always a part of and the main inspiration for the wearing of jewellery and decorating of the body.

Touching human senses through jewellery is the deepest feeling it may generate. In this case jewellery is no longer connected to its monetary value and status but to its value in meaning and aura.

 

Designing and making aesthetic jewellery does not imply the value of the material as an important element for an artistic piece. The material value is only important for the wearer to show her/his financial possibilities and status in a society.

Formal aesthetic and the artistic use of material combinations show the utmost significance in defining jewellery as a piece of jewellery art. 

Jewellery with overloaded material values are not showing the true sensibility of the artist but only the bold attempt to divert people from the fact that the design of the jewellery piece is very valuable because of the high value of the used jewellery material.