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This study explores the impact of self-identity on the individual through contemporary jewelry creation. Often, when people do not feel self-confident, self-doubt arises in their minds, resulting in confusion and timidity. When searching for the reason why this might affect me, I found that I held a skeptical attitude, and that I had held it for as long as I could remember. Inworking to understandmy own background, and recalling the interactions, moods, and emotions that arose while I accessed my memories, I came to wonder whether the existence of memory has a certain influential power, and whether it is the subtly transformative force of memory that has made me who I am today.
It is possible to convertthe abstract sentimentof images contained within a memory intoconcrete forms, and impart deeplymeaningful characteristics onto these pieces through the techniques of contemporary jewelry creation. Additionally, after putting on the pieces, the different emotional states of the wearer can be expressed in the interactive relationship between the wearer and the jewelry. This paper will explore the subconscious influence of past memory on the individual and make connections between realistic situations and objective images that transform the presentation of emotions. This composition is divided into three chronological parts: the “Memory and Emotion Series”is about the recollection of memories;the “Binding Series” is about examining the ties that are holding a person down;the “Similarities and Differences Series” is about slowlycoming to understand of the selfand finallyobtaining a sense of self-identity. By means of contemporary jewelry design, this artwork is able to inject meaning into the medium.Delicate eggshells are used here to push against the common perception of material;in this piece, the eggshells aremore thanjust a material. The fragility of the eggshells echoes the wariness with which a person recalls a memory. There is no way of knowing what story will be unveiled once the memory is seen clearly. Feelings of confusion and uncertainty combined with curiosity begone to remember with caution. The body encapsulates the inner self, and this externality is manifested by personal experience and choice. When a person gazes at memories of theirpast self through the eyes of the present, and looks back onthe self during the slow process of creating contemporary jewelry pieces, it becomes possible for them to understand the reasons why the burden of self-apportioned pressure weighs on them so heavily. After the repeated manipulation and experimentation of the jewelry creation process is finished, a person can attain therapeutic results regarding self-identity, such that they may be inspired by these repeated actions to pause and revisit, and generously affirm and recognize themself.
Key words: the body, self-identity, body object, contemporary jewelry, metalsmithing
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