Page 111 - Situated_Making_Catalogue

Artist Statement

The word “corona” is the Spanish word for “crown”. There The subject matter of the work I have created is The subject matter of the work I have
is something poetic about that because we have had the COVID 19 virus as it multiplies. I have drawn on "
to be leaders in our communities in order to overcome my technical jewellery skills to manufacture multiple created is the COVID 19 virus as it
the COVID 19 pandemic. The COVID 19 pandemic has illustrations of the COVID 19 virus in polystyrene,
been very difficult to deal with for the whole of humanity. copper spheres and twisted copper wire and a multiplies. I have drawn on my technical
We have had to change the way we go about our daily singular sterling silver COVID 19 inspired ring in the
lives. While there have been a lot of negative effects of centre of the work. jewellery skills to manufacture multiple
the pandemic, I believe there have been a lot of positive
aspects to it too. We have spent more time with loved illustrations of the COVID 19 virus
ones, the planet has benefitted from the lack of carbon
emissions produced by the cars we drive and we have in polystyrene, copper spheres and
become more conscious about our health. My work is a
representation of this duality in that although the subject twisted copper wire and a singular
matter is focused on the devastation of the pandemic, the
work I have produced looks good aesthetically, making sterling silver COVID 19 inspired ring
one to not focus on the negative.
My general area of focus features a combination
of precious metals as well as alternative materials such as in the centre of the work. "
polystyrene, as is the case in the work on display. As a
contemporary jeweller it is important that we use alternative — THATO RADEBE
materials because they are a defining characteristic of
contemporary jewellery as they raise questions of material
value, reinvention, recycling and sustainability. Combining
them with precious metals to make contemporary jewellery Heavy is the head that wears the CROWN.
Length 450mm / height 60mm / width 450mm.
challenges the traditional concept of value. Sterling silver, copper and polystyrene.
June 2022.

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