French hook earrings feature 8.5mm lusterous akoya pearls set above sterling silver perforated ball. These earrings measure 35mm in length.
This piece was made for the 'Love Tokens' Exhibition.
Artist Statement- 'Dance with me Mum'
In loving memory of my mother, Bok-Keum Koh
Pearls are living jewels and have beautiful stories of creation. They are made by oysters or mussels as a natural defence against an irritant entering their shell and damaging their body.
The oysters or mussels slowly secrete layers of conchiolan to cover the wound and this is how a pearl is created. I worked for years in the pearl industry when I was in Korea and I remember because of the pearls shape it often symbolises tears in Korea. It can also symbolise purity innocence and beauty in most Western countries.
For me, pearls always make me think of my Mum. Working for the pearl company I bought and threaded 44, 8.5mm cultured sea pearls (akoya pearls from Mikimoto, Japan) to make a pearl strand and give it to my Mum for her Birthday before I moved to Australia in 1999.
So many years have passed since then and it is already four years since she passed away. Of course the pearls were inherited by me and I always wanted to make jewellery I can connect to her using those pearls.
I am living a great life in Australia but so far away from Korea without her...I should have spent more time with her, travelled more with her and made more special jewellery for her... almost should have asked her "Please Dance with me, Mum". I miss you so much.
