Shining DESPAIR
Arisa Inoue
Japan

Brooch “Our Treasury-crane”, 2024
Silver925, can, old fabric, silk string,60x90mm
Soldering, brooch making, sewing
Photo : Mirei Takeuchi

Brooch “Our Treasury-turtle”, 2024
Silver925, can, old fabric, silk string,60x90mm
Soldering, brooch making, sewing
Photo : Mirei Takeuchi

It’s not uncommon for darkness to cast a shadow over the human heart. Wounds inflicted by trivial matters, natural disasters, human-caused tragedies, war, death, and separation. The balance between light and darkness is always equal—neither can exist without the other, and neither can exist alone.

Even so, we must protect our hearts. From despair that holds the power to shine with an overwhelming brilliance. One of the fundamental roles of jewelry is as a protective charm, an amulet or talisman. People believe in the magical power that resides within objects imbued with wishes. My jewelry has a small compartment within it, a space where something can be placed to guard yourself. No matter the era or way of life, there are times when despair shines too brightly. We must believe in our own hidden magic and the power of objects, so that we do not succumb to them.

More « Shining DESPAIR »

Shining Despair – Rikke Lunnemann / Denmark

‘It is clear to all of us that the degree of the current chaos in the world is caused by our own actions….‘

Shining Despair – Holland Houdek / USA

Words fail in the face of miscarriage.

Shining Despair – Wiebke Pandikow / Finland

Biodegradable plastic bags have been reworked into a basket-like object …

Shining Despair – Kamile Staneliene / Lithuania

The brooch “Shining Despair” reflects the contrast between life’s darkness and the light that endures within it.

Shining Despair – Juan Harnie / Belgium

As a child, I would watch my mother patch up worn garments …

Shining Despair – Eiko Nakahara / Japan

In the current state of the world, people hate each other and there are countries full of hatred.

Shining Despair – Minami Hiranuma / Japan

The motif of this work is my feelings when I picked up my grandmother’s bones.

Shining Despair – Esteban Erosky / Mexico-Spain

Our ability to transform things is so powerful …

Shining Despair – Clara del Papa / Italy-Venezuela

My work explores the delicate balance between darkness and light.

Shining Despair – Ute van der Plaats / Belgium

When the relentless madness of this world is clouding my heart, I take a walk in the woods …