Prosperity Pills
A chronic pain condition which manifested itself early last year led to an extensive period of self-analysis and self-expression. I wanted not only to document my pains and emotions but to work from and record the extent of the daily painkillers I consume. However, most importantly, my aim has been to create a positive outcome, working on an object capable of holding hope and belief for myself in the form of a personal amulet.
Experiencing the pain over the last year, I have been collecting my empty medicine blister packets to document this period of time. From very early on I had the intention to cast the negative from each and every consumed pill, in silver, as a reward; to see whether it is possible through personal exploration to self-create an amulet and in turn to create amulets for others to improve well-being, using their current beliefs and self-confidence. Through a strenuous, exhausting but rewarding personal journey, which at times became a technical burden, it has become a personal amulet, an outcome that was not always certain. Through my passionate attachment to the piece, I can see it has worked and I have learnt a lot from the experience to carry forward. I am also developing this project to work with women from Endometriosis UK to see whether modern day amulets can be made for women without prior beliefs to aid wellbeing.
In turn, it has taken its own journey through time, changing and adapting to its environment. Throughout, the pill’s appearance has never changed but the execution has. Initially it was to be a twelve meter long necklace and now it is an adaptive changeable piece incorporating jewellery, sculpture, items of reassurance and dynamic, salutary objects.
Pain Paintings
Pain Paintings are a daily record of pain and its effect on the body and emotions.
Starting March 2012 as part of research documentation to understand my pain, to see if there is any patterns and to hopefully work from.
I have been using watercolour on watercolour paper & coloured pencils.
Wash/Soap
I like to examine and explore concepts within jewellery and what the pieces can mean to the wearer.
With my soap rings/pieces the wearer interacts with the soap in the process of washing and in turn changes the form depending on the everyday pattern of their routine.
The pieces also explore the concept of ‘what is precious?’ in relation to jewellery. Soap is not considered a coveted material. But does it become valued if you set it like a precious stone in a ring or a necklace – once time is put into it to create the form, and a connection is created between pieces and the wearer/washer?
Some of my rings hold secret messages or precious stones held under the soap which is only revealed when the soap is washed away.
Keep/Paper
This collection of jewellery is to hold your own message. The message is to be read at any time to give a sense of happiness or empowerment.
The jewellery is a container, a carrier to keep the message safe. The true value is in the precious message it holds.
Some notes are only revealed when magnified with the cabochon – for your eyes only.
A note written,
A message said,
A memoir recalled.
For yourself, from a loved one.Txt/Gold
Txt/Bk range is influenced by an old cigarette tin which I found when clearing my grandparents’ house. It had been soldered shut and the intrigue from this so permanently shut tin has triggered several ideas.
When I opened the tin with a saw, it revealed love letters from my Grandpa to my Grandma during the early years of their courtship during World War II. The letters were very personal, and so precious that they were soldered shut, kept safe in a tin for nearly seventy years.
With the development of digital technology, love letters are a becoming a lost art. Txt/Bk takes precious text messages and immortalises them on jewellery.
Eat/Diamonds
Everyday/Rings – are a range of rings for use everyday. They supply you with everything you would need in a day. Ice for water, candle for light, and diamonds in resin – value never lost, although ironically you cannot ever get to the diamonds: is this a commodity you need to use? Soap and edible rings are also in this range. As you use the rings you are rewarded with precious stones.
Amuse/Bouche – this range translates to ‘excitement for the mouth!’ they are a range of rings which have developed from Everyday/Rings. They are treats in a diamond form, still exploring the concept of preciousness within jewellery. The more you use the rings the more stones are revealed.
Covet/Plastic
These pieces explore concepts of diamonds and their precious value and sometimes outrageous use. This collection is a silhouette of a diamond having been pushed to the boundaries of scale and wearability.
Ideas/Commissions
I enjoy working directly with customers to created a piece of jewellery that is special. I know how receiving a one-off piece of jewellery is a present like no other.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss commissioning work: info@hannahlouisepittman.co.uk or 0796 000 8865
