
Artist Statement: Uneasy Adornment
Few things in life have the power to conjure up fear and require faith like a sudden illness or bodily disorder. Even with ever-evolving medical advancements, uncertainty and the need to protect is an inherent response to illness. Throughout various cultures and time periods, many have found comfort in the use of amulets; wearable objects believed to provide the beholder protection against evil, danger, or disease. We still utilize our own types of amulets when bodily disorder hits, such as a cross pendant or placing our faith in a lifesaving medical device. These objects provide a form of defense and offer hope in the face of bodily degradation.
This work is from a series of contemporary amulets, titled Uneasy Adornment, which addresses notions of faith, protection, and healing. Those who are pre-disposed or diagnosed with a serious medical ailment are subjected to a regular battery of tests and procedures to facilitate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment processes. This seemingly endless cycle of evaluation serves as a modern-day ritual of prevention and protection for both physical ailments and spiritual unrest.
The exterior design of each contemporary amulet in this series is reminiscent of the formal qualities and architectural details found in the religious buildings such as temples, mosques, and cathedrals. These designs reference notions of reflection, meditation, and contemplation; subjects which often arise in conjunction with illness. In each piece, the viewer can see (often multiple of) the same ubiquitous health tool, such as numerous medical tourniquets, layers of medical gauze, or a mass of surgical exam gloves. This repetition of found medical elements is representative of the multitude of tests and procedures one must undergo to protect and heal the body when faced with disease. The wearable quality of these jewelry pieces is a direct reference to the history, power and meaning of amulets.