Shining DESPAIR
Misha McLean
Scotland
Brooch “Repeat Prescription: 14mg”, 2024
Silver, Copper, Cubic Zirconia, Lacquer Paint, Steel, 70x60x25mm
CAD Modelling, 3D Printing, Press Forming, Chasing, Lost Wax Casting, Tube Setting
‘Repeat Prescription: 14mg’ embodies the quiet despair felt by those who rely on medication in order to sustain a healthy life. This brooch speaks of the emotional weight of dependence, where normalcy and survival hinge on a pill packet. This unspoken struggle can be complex; while facing the emotional, physical and potential financial burden of this reliance, many marvel at modern medicine and sincerely appreciate its power to significantly improve their quality of life.
Through its design, this brooch depicts this interplay of gratitude and frustration, displaying the pill packet as precious, valuable and sparkling. In contrast, the hidden pills in the back of the brooch convey the hidden anxieties and dismay that many people who rely on medication keep close to their chest.