MEMENTO
(Exhibition Open Studios May 2025)
Timeless Memories with Memento Jewellery.
I designed my own mementos in 2002 to honour and preserve the memory of loved ones long gone. Though they may appear like jewellery, they aren't meant to be worn; instead, they prioritise storytelling and symbolism over functionality. I created shapes & selected materials that, through their inherent qualities express a duality of emotion: strength- fragility, weight & lightness.
For over 20 years, these pieces remained tucked away in a box. Over time, they have aged, some have oxidised, creating their own poignant story. This process of natural aging gives each piece an authentic antique aspect evoking the feeling that they have been worn, creating a sense of sentimental value. They create a bridge between the past & present, a lasting reminder of events. They are the timeless keepsakes of those moments reminding us that we inherit not only objects but a legacy.
Cocoon/Lungs
These two objects have a dual symbolism: they represent simultaneously the family cocoon and the stylised form of a lung. One appears oppressive and darker, yet possesses a delicate structure that suggests it is deeply affected by memory, sadness, and illness—the past. In contrast, the other is lighter , allowing the free air to pass through—the present. Both stand open having released what was within.
El encaje - En cage : In a cage
This dual-language connection holds a deeply personal resonance, reflecting both my Spanish roots & French origins. "Encaje" (the lace in Spanish) and "En cage" (in a cage in French) is a play on words. Phonetically, they sound similar but have two different meanings. In this linguistic coincidence lies an entire narrative. The Lace, with its intricate patterns, often symbolises the tradition, alive to this day in Spanish culture, while the cage - an equally intricate, unusual pendant- holds a photo as a safe keeper of memory, topped with a magnifying glass that remains too blurry to clearly view those of the past. It speaks of restraint, containment, the weight of the generational memory. It can confine us within the duty of remembrance, sometimes too heavy with grief, sometimes preventing us from experiencing our own lives fully. It does not matter if we are born in a different country, speaking another language- like French, in this case- or immersed in another culture that shapes us differently. Here, the linguistic connection between 'El encaje' and 'En cage' takes on its full meaning. The cage has a chain, a link, that is deliberately attached to nothing- leaving space between the past & present, allowing us to carry it to remember rather than wear it too close. Through this linguistic interplay, "El encaje" - "En cage" and the two reciprocal objects become a passage from one culture to another- a journey of memory through sounds and inherited mementos.
This little flower lace pattern, I replicated it in metal, hidden behind and in the brooch underneath.
From the delicate and fragile textile to metal that stands the test of time.
Little flowers that echo the one on the lace; meaningful blooms signifying enduring love and remembrance. These blooms not only beautify the area but also stand as living tributes to those who are no longer with us.
Alongside the flowers, rest the physical remains.
Mourning rings, black like the mourning dress or an amor to shield from suffering.
Little flowers like hairpins or dress pins.
Iron planters where the static flowers yield to soil & seeds-growing to start a new cycle of life.
" To the memory of Filomena, Carmen & Miguel".
All the right reserved. All artworks and photos are the exclusive property of the artist Christine Garcia and retain all right. No part of any artworks, photos displayed may be copied, reproduced in any form or any mean neither download, distributed nor published on social media, websites without the written consent of the artist. Thank you.