Undergraduate Capstone Thesis Artist Statement
In this body of work I am exploring the ideas of mortality and preservation by making jewelry as a wearable reminder to treasure life.
Life is fleeting and death is unavoidable. Being aware of death allows us time to appreciate life more, and make the best of what is possible. The action of storage and preservation of an object’s essence provides a sustainable existence of an item and a continuance of its lifespan.
My fixation with lemons stems from a memory connected to a family health emergency. This shock to my reality gave me clarity and helped me to realize the importance of cherishing life. I use lemons as a metaphor for the body through its porous flesh and lifecycle. Aesthetically, lemon peel pores are like human skin. When cut open, their interior references the body. Like humans, lemons grow and decay. Food preparation and storage can be comparable to curation and mummification of bodies after death. The fruits can also be dried and used for an alternative purpose such as potpourri.
By using lemons in contemporary jewelry, it glorifies the fruit to be of more value than a perishable food. Wearables utilizing fruit in place of precious stones then become a physical reminder that life is precious. The juxtaposition of the common lemon and sterling silver implies the luxury of life and time, which is meant to be taken advantage of and enjoyed. Each piece displays preservation in a different way. The brooch is a vessel to keep a fresh cut lemon slice in and the fruit is kept alive through replacement in the piece. The two perfume lockets, containing dried lemon peel and essential oil wax, preserve the lemon through scent. And the bangles are set with preserved lemon rinds. These pieces confront the wearer with an examination of mortality and preservation through use of lemons in containment, dehydration of the skin, and its placement in a new environment.