Annotation:

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating.

The purpose of my research mainly focused on two objectives. The first was to examine and investigate gendered identities of feminism and its associations with metallic and lace inspired jewellery. The second objective was to progressively integrate and manipulate the technique of bobbin lace within jewellery. Both textile lace and jewellery are associated to gender and identity stereotypes, usually imposed by a patriarchal society. My research aimed at highlighting these elements and allowing one to understand jewellery through an empowerment lens. Interlacing Identities is a product and representation of the powerful role in which women played in their ability to produce, wear and represent lace. This piece also demonstrates the complexities and evolution of the functions of lace, and its continuously changing constructs associated with it during the course of history. Critically analysing lace jewellery allows for a deeper understanding with regards to society and its interaction with these techniques, which are predominantly programmed within a pre-existent context; shed light on the success of women within these fields and pays attention to the impact enforced by a patriarchal society.

Jewellery has been in existence for centuries however, contemporary jewellery in South Africa is a growing field which allows for a deeper understanding of jewellery through academia as well as within our society. Contemporary jewellery can also be explained as the need to break away from the pre-existing traditional connotations associated to jewellery, through unusual and innovative design, the use of alternative materials and techniques. The importance of associating, understanding and aligning jewellery through both social and artistic constructs allows for epistemological gain which is critical for research. The way in which we relate to jewellery design and manufacture practices are no longer confined only to the wearability and aestheticism of jewellery. My piece allows one to identify and consider the existence of complex feminine identities within lace jewellery and broaden the perspective on jewellery itself. The metaphorical analyses of the piece also provides support for the complexities presented in a gendered society.

The technique of bobbin lace within jewellery should be highlighted as it is this innovation within contemporary jewellery, a niche and growing field, which allows one to provide new knowledge and align itself to a new set of ideals. The design and manufacture of this piece is where I played in the realm of binary opposites, which allows for epistemological insight of feminine roles within a patriarchal society of jewellery design and manufacture. Bobbin lace is a French lace technique which I adapted and changed within a jewellery context. The integration and investigation of techniques from other disciplines allowed me to push the boundaries of design and aligns my piece to a new set of ideals within jewellery design and manufacture, such as cross integration of techniques and skills development.

In 2018, Interlacing Identities participated in the Inaugural Contemporary Jewellery Awards Exhibition in South Africa, whereby it was part of an exhibition hosted at the University of Johannesburg, FADA Gallery in Johannesburg on the 15^th March 2018. It received an award as ‘Runner Up’ in the awards. As part of the award prize, Interlacing Identities was featured in a magazine called Creative Feel, April 2018 edition. In addition to this accolade, Interlacing Identities also featured as part of an article written by Geraldine Fenn, “Contemporary Jewelry in South Africa”, which was published in an international magazine called Metalsmith Vol 39.

Invitation & Acceptance of Participation in the Inaugural Contemporary Jewellery Awards Exhibition 2018:

Group Exhibition – Contributors/ Participants

Joani Groenewald - joani@sun.ac.za

Lani van Niekerk - lanivn@gmail.com

Nina Newman - newmann@tut.ac.za

Gussie van de Merwe - gussievdmerwe@gmail.com

Erika Wessels - erika@erikawessels.com

Karien van der Schyff - kvldesigns@gmail.com

Eric Loubser - eric@ericloubser.com

Samantha Vincent - samanthav@dut.ac.za

Alisa Knoblauch - alisavdmerwe@gmail.com

Jan Bekker - jan@sirkeljewellery.co.za

Michelle Liao - michelleliaosa@gmail.com

Hilda Swart - hildaleswart@gmail.com

Marchand van Tonder - info@studioloubser.com

Liz Loubser - liz@lizloubser.com

Tracey Jane Lötter - tracey@madeofmettle.co.za

Mariét Schwalb - mapuladesigner@gmail.com

Nora Korvats - info@norakovats.com

Chris De Beer - chrisdb@dut.ac.za

Marlene DE Beer - marlenedb@dut.ac.za

Anne Manaczynski - anaczynski@gmail.com

Philisa Zibi - philisa.zibi@gmail.com

Adeline Joubert Heyns - info@firepetals.com

Images of Work: Interlacing Identities

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating – Front, black background.

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating – Front full, black background.

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating – Detailed photographs, black background.

 

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating – Front & Detailed photographs, Grey background. Photography: Roland Woon.

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating – Front & Detailed photographs, Grey background. Photography: Roland Woon.

Mariambibi Khan. 2015. Interlacing Identities. Bobbin Lace, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver & Gold Plating – Front & Detailed photographs, Grey background. Photography: Roland Woon.

Awards: “Runner Up” Certificate

Creative Feel Magazine, April 2018 Edition - Screenshots

Metalsmith Magazine, Vol 39 – No 2 Edition – Cover Page & Contents - Screenshots

Metalsmith Magazine, Vol 39 – No2 Edition – Article - Screenshots