Symposium Year
2022
Preview
Start Date
3-19-2022 9:15 AM
End Date
3-19-2022 11:00 AM
Description
Artist's Statement:
Mama Jean is created as an heirloom parure, a cuff, handpiece and ring jewelry set, in honor of my maternal grandmother, Mama Jean, who reared me in rural Texas. This floral heirloom represents my maternal lineage like a family tree. Starting with the figurative root is the layered copper and nickel silver cuff with a fully opened flower and handmade glass bead represents Mama Jean. Next, the figurative tree trunk is the copper wire and red and blue beads that connect the cuff to the handpiece to represent the bond between my birth mother and the distant relationship she had with her mother, Mama Jean, me, and Tyrese, my son. The continuation of the figurative tree is the branch, the copper hand piece represents me with a partially opened flower and cast bronze totem inside to ward off evil spirits. Lastly at the top of the figurative tree is the leaf, the copper and nickel silver ring with a slightly open flower represents Tyrese, and the disconnection reflects the separation between his great grandmother and him because they have never met. The handmade glass beads, made by Tyrese, reflect the fragility of our family bond and are placed in the center of the copper flower to protect it. Creating this heirloom to give to Tyrese someday is what bonds us together.