story

Dealing with emotional pain

Feeling emotional abandoned by your parents is painful. Somehow you have to find a way to get over that, how to turn the pain into gain.

Pagara

necklace/object
earthenware, iron, nails, gold leaf, linen
Ø 26 cm
2011

I used nails to express the pain. While wearing this necklace the nails are pointing towards me, but already covered with a ceramic tube which protects me from the sharpness. And they have a golden head. The process of dealing with the pain is already started…

The necklace is called ‘Pagara’; they look like firecrackers, which I don’t like because of the noise and the smell… but they bring that excitement of a happy last day of the year. Kind of the same double feeling towards the necklace: the inspiration was not only positive, but the result is satisfying.

explanatory notes during exhibition:

Pagara
Making the pain manageable.
Saying farewell to sharpness.
Not better than it was.
Now it’s celebration.

Transformation, transmutation, transfiguration

necklace/object
nails, silk, iron wire
h 40 x w 25 x d 5,5 cm
2013

The next phase was transforming the pain into benefits. Still nails, but now the point away from me and they are covered with soft and colorful silk. You don’t even see them anymore… the pain is still there as a memory, but also as an experience that contributes to your personal growth.

explanatory notes during exhibition:

Transformation Transmutation Transfiguration
Things you undergo.
So that you are hurt.
Like sharp nails.
That heal vulnerability.
To learn from that.
Transform.
With soft silk.
Transmute.
Into another image.
Transfigure.
Into a colorful experience.