Origins
Origins is a collection borne from exploration of the unique and beautiful geology of New Zealand and revisiting an ancient language that sparked my interest at the very start of my jewellery making career. Furthermore it speaks to a deeply personal realisation surrounding my sense of belonging in Aotearoa.
All the stones used in the work have been hand-collected as part of my ongoing involvement with the North Shore Rockhounds Club, and I have cut and polished them in my small lapidary workshop.
The lines inscribed into both metal and stone form words in the ancient Celtic language of Ogham, (oh-em). Ogham was carved into stones and trees to mark land boundaries or to commemorate a member of the community.
In this collection I use Ogham to express the sentiments of these two Gaelic terms;
Ait dhuchais - a native place, natural habitat or home
Duiche - A sense of home or belonging tied to a place, community and culture.
