His work speaks volumes and inspires tattoo artists, fashion designers and fine artists all over the globe. So when I found myself submerged in his world I could not help but imagine jewellery that would be a reflection of his journey of creativity but also express a more interpretive idea of his work.
First, I wanted to bring a flat print to a more three dimensional relief. Making them the shape of a wood block to be true to his process and format was important to me.
A material that I find brings out a nice smooth carving with the detail that I was looking for is bone from a butcher shop. Though it sounds a bit archaic I like the fact that I have found a few ways to recycling the waste through carving or making my bone broth.
His prints slowly took form and once the main pieces were created the journey started to become more sculptural.
The journey continued as I drew and created works around the great wave and the masculine and feminine waves. The movement of the ocean and continuum of motion is what I wanted to capture.
Exploring the rhythm of the ocean and how to create that in a fluid format while making it in silver was the piece of the puzzle I was working on.
I made two pieces that captured this feeling for me. The earrings below are the spiral of Hokusai's foam. As you pull them up the spiral reveals its self bouncing up and down from your ear.....bringing you closer to the rolling and tumbling of a wave.
The necklace encompasses the spiral and sea pearls keeping us close to the deep blue ocean and it's rhythm.
This journey was the first time in years that I submerged myself in the creative process nonstop for a month. I worked on other pieces and can't wait to share them.
The following pieces can be found at the British Museum's Boutique which coincides with their exhibition Beyond the Great Wave.
For the more abstract pieces you can contact me directly at tarra@tarrarosenbaum.com Do try to find yourself at the British Museum to see the exhibition. It is absolutely stunning.