elizabeth shaw   jewellery objects
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Mortar Heads

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Mortar Head Rings, reused sterling silver. Image: Michelle Bowden

​Through the regular use of a tool, process or material, the whole experience, smell included, becomes imbedded in my memory and my expectation of future engagement. This is true to my studio practice, and is particularly so for cooking, eating and drinking. Just how essential perceptions of scents and aromas are to appreciation was illustrated for me when a friend had her olfactory nerves damaged in an accident.

Devastatingly her experience of tastes and smells was muddled. All that she knew of flavours and smells of food was cruelly shattered. The opposition between her expectations and how her damaged nerves interpreted the taste and smells, destroyed her appetite and enjoyment of food and drink. Food lost its appeal without the anticipated enjoyable associated smells and taste. 

For me, a mortar and pestle powerfully evokes pungent spice and herbs and these pieces are intended as a reminder for how powerful and important our ability to experience them is. Each is intended to be worn and also to be held, talismans to preserve the ability to enjoy the scents and aromas of spicy food.

The Mortar Heads are designed for the wearer to crush and grind leaves of a herb or spice. The scent remains in the mortar for sniffing when wearing. The Mortars are nostril sized… ​
Picture
Mortar Head Ring 3, reused sterling silver with herb. Image: Michelle Bowden
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Mortar Head Ring 2, reused sterling silver with herb. Image: Michelle Bowden
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Mortar Head Ring 4, reused sterling silver with herb. Image: Michelle Bowden
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Mortar Head 1, reused sterling silver, hemp cord with herb. Image: Michelle Bowden
These works were created in response to the curatorial brief from Anna Cheng, Director of Ame Gallery (Central, Hong Kong) for the exhibition Scents of Life, 18 March - 29 April 2017. The exhibition toured to PIN sstudio Taiwan, 20 May - 2 June and then toured to J Tour Shanghai and back to Hong Kong for a final showing at Art Workerspace all in 2017.
https://klimt02.net/events/exhibitions/scents-life-ame-gallery
  • Home
  • jewellery and objects
    • Fidgeting Eyes 2024
    • Diego, Don Tom and Ann 2023
    • Charred Koala - hanging on 2022
    • Radical Localism 2022
    • SHAW & SHAW 2021
    • Precious Places 2020
    • Pincer Grip 2019
    • Hand-Saw-Horse 2019
    • Urban Origins 2019
    • Rotary Wheel Rings 2018
    • Debra Porch and Friends 2018
    • Recycled Narratives 2018
    • Nail Heads 2017 - 2018
    • Mortar Heads 2017
    • Rescued Pets 2017
    • Visions Exhibition 2017
    • Rings for Mary Shelley 2016
    • Yang 杨 + Shaw 肖 2015-2016
    • The Contemporary Jewelry Exchange 2015-2016
    • Sleight of Hand 2015
    • Why Jewellery? 2015
    • Greensmith 2014+2016
    • Icons 2014
    • Tool 2011 & 2012
    • Inundation 2011
    • Evidence 2010
    • The Miniature Museum 2009
  • studio
  • bio
  • contact
  • blog