Finding

Artist list

Caroline Broadhead, Fiona Chong, Gabriella Garnham, Harriet Williams, Haya Lutfallah, Lin Cheung, Maria Militsi, Puyuan Yang, Rosie Greener, Scarlett Zhang, Wizal Wang

Connections and Disconnections

The history of the Foundling Hospital is rich and engaging.  It is of especial interest to those eager to explore the power of objects to denote an emotional connection.

The main aim of this project was to use the collection to initiate creative responses and through this exhibition to contribute to a growing awareness of the Museum’s significance.  Eight students and three members of staff of the BA Jewellery Design course at Central Saint Martins have explored the archives and the museum’s collections to develop ideas for a piece of jewellery.  Another aim of this extra curricula project was to have a chance for students and staff to work together as equals.  In addition, the project included two ‘Tokens of Identity’ workshops, conceived by the jewellery students and delivered to schoolchildren from Maria Fidelis School and Haverstock School, which allowed them the opportunity to impart their findings and enthusiasms to younger learners.

There are many narratives about the Foundling Hospital’s history that are compelling, strong themes of abandonment, regimented living, the lack of intimacy and affection, loss of identity and systems of renaming. The central part of the museum’s collection are the tokens that were left as a lasting, but largely undisclosed, connection of a parent to a child and these are eloquent mementos of their separation. These range from buttons, coins, keys, snippets of ribbon and textiles and even bits of jewellery, all of which could have served to unite a parent and a child long after babyhood. With such a wealth of stories it is impossible not to compare present day attitudes and circumstances to these histories and our discussions have included changes in attitude towards children then and now and how different countries take care of their abandoned children.

Jewellers have a strong awareness of the ability of small, closely held objects to convey the value of a relationship, a locket containing a portrait or lock of hair, a piece that has been gifted or handed down are classic examples.  Each participant has produced a piece that expresses both the positive and the negative feelings the collection elicits - of abandonment and belonging, uniformity and individuality, the loss of identity and the chance for a new life.

Read more about the statement of each artist here.