Shining DESPAIR
Ute van der Plaats
Belgium
Ring “Winterwaldeinsamkeit”, 2024
Sterling silver, 60×65 mm
Reindeermoss and flowers covered by hand with wax, ring hand carved out of wax, lost wax casting, soldering
When the relentless madness of this world is clouding my heart, I take a walk in the woods, seeking comfort in solitude and the gentile quietness of nature. Especially in the winter, when snow and ice blanket the world in a frozen stillness, I find peace of mind and can rebreathe. Observing closely the details of the winter woods, its shadows, plants, patterns, textures and the special light, distract my mind from somber thoughts about all the chaos and suffering the human race is causing. I take mental notes of all I see and eventually go home somehow refreshed and inspired. Determent to create a luminous piece of jewelry to ban, even if its just for one day, all darkness in this world.