Artist's Statement
Jenny Laidlaw is a jeweller captivated by the ideas of time and memory. No use in crying over spilt milk explores the beauty of the impermanent, imperfect and incomplete.
Braided iron wire and silver form decaying fragments that continue to age and rust, staining the wearer’s clothing with sepia memories of what was once present. These imprinted reminders reflect the images and personal experiences Jenny selects and isolates in her jewellery. She recreates those that are most fleeting: the minor and hidden, the subtle and evanescent. The viewer must look closely at the work to discover the intimate details, such as the glint of yellow gold hidden within the rusting strands of wire that are only visible when worn against the skin.
Shards of etched metal and moss encased in a fragile shell of enamel are found scattered throughout the collection, to serve as further reminders that nothing lasts forever. This collection requires acceptance of the fact that jewellery alters, breaks apart, changes colour. Time leaves scars, erodes, and ultimately turns everything to dust. No use in crying over spilt milk captures this essential fragility of materials, memory, and mortality.
Further Images
Long Necklace - No use in crying over spilt milk
14ct gold, iron
Large earrings
silver
Long necklace
silver, iron, garnets
Iron pendant
silver, iron. garnets
Iron earrings
oxidised silver, iron, garnets
Small necklace
silver
Link earrings
silver, iron
Braided necklace
silver, iron
Rusted Brooch - No use in crying over spilt milk
Silver, oxidised copper, iron wire
19 x 3 x 2cm