Cheongsam Jewelry
Jocelyn P.
Cheongsam, thread, wire
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I transformed my culturally significant clothing into wearable jewelry by using elements from chinese traditional dresses (cheongsam) I wore when I was a child and synthesizing them into a necklace and brooch. I created a three dimensional chrysanthemum brooch out of the dress fabric to reference imagery that is commonly featured in traditional Chinese embroidery. By utilizing the collar and fasteners of the dress while still maintaining their functionality in the necklace design, this work bridges the utility of the dress with its ornamental design. I am photographed wearing the jewelry pieces with a white shirt and suit jacket to communicate the visual parallel between the necklace collar and the collar of a formal button up shirt. By modeling the jewelry pieces myself, I communicate the personal cultural connection of the works. Through this documentation, I also juxtapose the traditional chinese cultural context of the jewelry with western business attire.
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To me, creativity means artistic catharsis and freely expressing my emotions.