JEWELLERY | SOUTH WALES
How does your artwork reflect the transformation of materials and/or the idea of identity?
The inspiration for this work is language and word,s and how these resonate with us. The Welsh language — one of the oldest languages in Europe — was within fairly recent history in decline and in danger of being lost forever. Now, with considerable effort it has not only been preserved but is a thriving living language again.
The text itself, which is in fragments, describes and illustrates the fragility and ultimately the strength of this language which is surviving the degradation of the leaves of paper it is written on, with the ‘silver’ paper slowly crumbling away.
The words are tactile, raised up in silver and written by hand, which illustrates how much words can affect us and create feelings that are emotive. The black oxidisation sometimes used on the silver represents the permanent ink on paper.
Fragile Form, 2025, black oxidised sterling silver and pressed flowers
Fragile Form Jewellery Series, 2025, sterling Silver and black oxidised sterling silver
Find out more about Mari Thomas here.
Images of work: Jules Lister