Historically, the act of adornment; wearing jewellery; a badge or an amulet, was a means to tell the world who we are, what we stand for, or whom we would like to be. These relatively small objects had the potential to speak of large issues. The works in this collection, incorporate found materials that appear to have little monetary value, shells, quills, minerals etc, yet they demonstrate the rich biodiversity needed by the other species that humanity lives alongside. These works distil thoughts and ideas into a badge of affiliation, a momenta mori for a world whose biodiversity is reducing year on year.
BLUE MUSSELS
Three brooches display circles of the blue mussel shell set in brass to depict stylised versions of their physiology.
Colonies of common blue mussels have been a crucial source of food for humans for thousands of years (shell middens have frequently been found on archaeological sites that date back to 525 AD). The young, fertilized larvae are at sea for between 3 and 6 months and it is thought they can detect existing, successful, colonies and attach themselves nearby. The byssal threads they manufacture to bond onto sea-battered rock surfaces, are one of the strongest bio adhesives known to man. Collectively they are said to be eco system engineers, in that they create reefs, stabilizing surfaces. As filter feeders (25 litres of seawater pass through each individual mussel every day), they play a vital role in coastal waters by removing bacteria and toxins. They are very effected by, and reflective of their environment.