A red serpent lays coiled upon dry, red earth
Old skins shed, grief no longer lingers
It sleeps and dreams of new life, deeper tones
Midnight black, a glittering starlit river weaves
Receive the low, undulating hum of the land.
Reverence for slow rhythms (2023). Red jasper stone, recycled kauri wood, kawakawa panipani (beeswax balm), harakeke (flax).
This necklace was prompted by the task set in our masterclass with Estela Saez Vilanova, “take an unfinished piece of jewellery and remake it based on someone you are inspired by.”
The one who I am inspired by in this instance is a mother who has been through a recent miscarriage, who is preparing to try again for another baby. Grief comes in waves, but desire for life is strong and certain. She is an artist dedicated to her craft, filling her creative rituals with embodiment, eros, magick and love. Reverence for slow rhythms was made for her.
About the unfinished jewellery:
The unfinished material is recycled kauri, first used in a ritual exhibition exploring grief, death and ways to heal. I saved all the off cuts pierced from the wood and knew I would return to them some day. At last, that day arrived. https://ritualmajik.co.nz/exhibitions-1
The Process
Step 1: Charring all the kauri pieces. This was a blissful experience set outside to the hum of surrounding cicadas, and the smell of the gently burning wood.
Step 2: Massage each individual piece with kawakawa panipani. I made this healing beeswax balm specifically to soothe grief and burn-out, so incorporating it felt right.
Step 3: Incorporate a personal item – red jasper found on the west coast of Te Wai Pounamu/ the South Island. When my hand first touched this stone that day upon a wild coastline, I felt the overwhelming need to lie down, rest and turn inwards to listen. Listen, listen, listen.
Step 4: How to assemble? Continuing the organic theme, I reach for harakeke, a native flax linked to whānau (family). The rhythmic weaving, smell and feel of it in my hands sent me into a trance/channel state where I connected deeply with the plant itself, and brought through the specific energies my friend needed for her healing.
Step 5: Dedicate, meditate with, and lastly (the best part!): present the gift. She told me she will hang it at the head of her bed to work with her in her dreams.
