GeoMorphing: notions of preciousness in reference to gems, minerals and rocks.
Living in Australia has influenced my work profoundly. I discovered my passion for rocks and minerals which occur in abundance here. For a number of years I have been processing and cutting the stones I use in myself.
While I have a strong background in technical processes, I experiment with these, applying them in new ways.
It is a selection and design process from the beginning. Combinations of materials are selected, perceptible by the senses, tangible structures opposing internal lines and formations, colours harmonising with each other.
Visual uniqueness gives value to common materials that are often overlooked or disregarded, which I sourced in the Australian outback as well as at mineral and rock collectors’ exhibitions. By slicing into the materials I discovered structures, patterns and colours, traces of their geological history hidden in the layers. By combining known with unknown, the so-called precious with the ’worthless’, I intend to question the concept of preciousness.
By designing and constructing both jewellery and objects that reference and utilize gems and minerals I investigate the term precious as it is often attributed to certain materials.
