Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes

Artist list

Melinda Young, Vernon Bowden, Bridget Kennedy, Zoe Brand, Emma Fielden, Claire McArdle

Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, curated by Bridget Kennedy. The exhibition at Studio 20/17 is part of the Sydney Design 2013 program

Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes is a creative response to the idea of fragility and impermanence. The delicately designed pieces are meant to leave a shadow of themselves, lightly disappearing in the wearing, to remark upon the lightness of touch we have upon the planet. This collection is a comment from the artists upon the fact that time will continue once we ourselves have gone. The things we vest so much importance in, all of the items and things we create, will themselves also be dissolved eventually into the earth. But with this sense of impermanence comes a great responsibility – we are here for only a short time and what we do, what we make and build, has an impact upon the web of the world. We must create with care.

The artists are confronting the idea that jewellery, often thought of as a sign of status and commodity, should remain a keepsake for future generations. Instead, this collection questions our desire to hold, and asks the wearer to consider the idea of value and beauty which disappears rather than accrues. With these jewels, the beauty and the rarity of what’s left behind will be highlighted by what has disappeared.