Rebecca Wilson

As a jeweler and ceramicist I am concerned with the relationship the work has with the body in a functional sense, either as practical adornment or accessory, or as a vessel. In this body of work we take a step back from the necessity of function, and create incongruously large objects. Over inflated swizzle beads are inspired by the two-tone lollipop of the same name. Their plumpness evokes a visceral response, whose touchably smooth forms beg to be stroked, even licked.  

The supersized bead necklaces dwarf the wearer, transporting them back to childhood memories of being swathed in grown up jewellery that doesn’t fit their diminutive scale. The jewellery-like objects’ relative scale seems so vast that it challenges it’s wearability, and questions at what point ‘jewellery’ ceases to be functional and becomes purely sculptural. They are however deceptively light, and therefore quite wearable, and so perform both functions with a satisfying duality of purpose.  

This body of work continues to address the themes of the conflict of value and function, and of function versus anti-function, which is ever-present in my work. We have created a societal structure whereby we assign value to objects based on their material, their rarity, their functionality. These works celebrate the simplest pleasures in life, the little indulgences that add value to our everyday. By re-embodying humble confectionaries at scale, and in materials of high perceived worth, I hope to highlight the value they bring.

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Oversized Swizzel necklaces are inspired by the two tone lollies of the same name in chalky dual colours. Nuggets of cast parian porcelain are wrapped up in recycled silver bezel settings and arranged in a beaded pick ‘n’ mix of pleasurable extravagance. In replacing pearls for porcelain the formality of precious materials is removed to create wearables that drip with the desire of momentary self-indulgence and look good enough to eat. Pastel tones derived from the sticky opacity of fruity chews and marshmallows are achieved through the subtle addition of colour to the Parian porcelain.  

Super white Parian porcelain is chosen for its sugar like translucency and ability to transmit vibrant colour. It is an environmentally low impact clay, consisting of just four abundant minerals. Its self glazing properties eliminate both the need for glazes containing rare earth elements and for multiple kiln firings.