Concrete Collection

I have long been fascinated by architecture, particularly the Modernist and Brutalist styles. The characteristics of clean lines, block-like forms, minimalist aesthetic, and innovative use of materials like steel and concrete echo what I aim to achieve with my Perspex jewellery designs. In January 2024 I joined an architecture tour of The Barbican in London and learnt of its history and construction methods. Working with a site almost completely flattened by the Blitz, the Barbican’s architects, Chamberlin, Powell and Bon created a city within a city that is raised above street level…towers and terraces connected by walkways and a lake. I was interested to learn that the textures in the concrete were created by workers using hand held pick-hammers.
I have taken inspiration from the curves, semi-circles, right-angles and grey textured concrete contrasting with smooth white details in creating my ‘Concrete’ collection of jewellery. This took many hours of working through variations, I was initially using much a more complex collections of shapes, but eventually it became clear that to create wearable pieces simpler would be far better.
The conclusion of this is two shapes of earring, ‘Tall’ and ‘Wide’ in clear grey or orange Perspex with a curved shape and textured black pattern. Complemented by a necklace with components in clear grey or orange with smooth opaque white Perspex, with the same black textured pattern. Strung onto a grey nylon covered stainless steel cable, completing the industrial feel.