The Standing Gold Ring, Nº5

In a world where value and worth are often measured in material wealth, status, and the tangible,

I present you The Standing Gold Ring, Nº 5.

Made of gold leaf, balanced on brass wire on a concrete base, and encased within a glass dome, this jewellery explores the complexities of value, worth and our roles in defining them.

What happens when a symbol of wealth is rendered useless, nonfunctional, or unreachable? Is it real? And does it matter? Can something still hold value when its intended purpose is denied?

Through this piece, I invite you to question: Is value inherent in the object, shaped by its context, or defined by the stories we tell about it? And more importantly, what is our active role in all of this?

To further this conversation, I welcome people to choose what they want to pay for my work. From a starting point - the minimum I can accept for my labour - everyone has the freedom to choose what they want to pay for it, allowing a reflection on how we collectively assign value. What does it mean when something is left up to interpretation when we are tasked with determining worth? How do our choices reflect the broader societal relationship with value and worth?

Ultimately, with this ring, I want to challenge you to reflect on how our definition of value and worth impacts our sense of self and our place in the world.

This item is part of the: What If? Collection

*this ring is a non-wearable piece.