Twirling Punched Earrings

Figure 1- Nkabinde, M., (2018). Twirling Punched Earrings. Silver.

These are silver twirling earrings, a prototype for the Anglo Platinum 2018 competition themed: Blessings of Love. I had to design a pair of earrings that fit with my b-tech topic and also incorporate the theme given. I had been exploring and working with punching and I found a perfect reference in Isishweshwe fabric motifs which is called the guinea fowl spots(impangele) which I thought fitted perfectly with the theme. Guinea fowl spots(impangele) are black and white spots which I would say to me they represent the ups and downs in a relationship.

I had used the pattern template from the previous test pieces and prototypes but I decided to punch the patterns in different directions to represent the spots and the different stages you get in a relationship. The patterns punched in a very thin plate and I would allow the punch to go through the plate to allow the metal to form fluted edges. If you put the earrings together the hooks form a circular shape which symbolizes infinity. I made these earrings because I wanted to show different stages in a relationship using punching and patterns from Isishweshwe to give visual aspects of how fabric can be used in another medium.