Chris Irick, USA

The Contemporary Mourning Brooch Series commemorates the profound loss of life from the Covid-19 pandemic. This work is inspired by Victorian mourning jewelry that was made from a loved one’s hair. Through the use of CAD/CAM technology. I recreate and then distort traditional woven hair patterns. This produces new forms that both reflect their Victorian origin, but are clearly the product of computer technology. The result is no longer about personal individual loss, but embraces the collective mourning that we are experiencing as a society.