physiognomy, 2021
physiognomy, 2021
this collection is an investigation into our instinctive urge to divide and categorize, inspired by the 17th century practice of physiognomy by french painter charles le brun. his research led to depicting the visual correspondence between humans and animals in a series of illustrations highlighting their facial resemblances, suggesting that one could deduce an individual’s character from empirical observation of their physical appearance.
in essence, all life starts from a cell that divides and grows, taking different forms while building on a similar structure. using this idea to start a conversation around perception and identity, this series of human and animal bone jewellery celebrates unity while blurring the difference. designed digitally and cast in jesmonite, the tactility of the pieces transcends the medium to finally bare the question: what do we see, how are we seen, might we see differently?
- jesmonite
- photography: john mcgrath
- model: eliska jurcikova
