As part of my Drum Works Studio project working with reclaimed materials I have created a new collection for the Barbican retail shop. The collection went on sale in May 2022 to coincide with the Barbican exhibition Our Time on Earth tackling the subjects of climate crisis, our ecosystem and living more sustainably. The exhibition also aimed to give the Barbican an opportunity to pilot new ways of sustainable working.
This project follows on from 2021 when I designed and made a collection of affordable and easy to wear jewellery pieces made from used and broken hickory hardwood drumsticks from the Drum Works Music project. (see previous news post).
The Barbican jewellery collection comprises of earrings, pin badges, necklaces and cufflinks in black and white. Fittings on cufflinks and earrings are surgical grade steel, chosen because stainless steel is made from 60% recycled materials, is 100% recyclable, has a long term life, won't corrode and can be worn by most people with metal allergies. Should stainless steel end up in the ground it will have no damaging effects on soil and water. I used water based acrylic paints and varnish and to complete the range the packaging has been created from recycled cardboard. The collection is only made to order and is hand delivered by bike. I hope that ticks lots of boxes!
10% of each sale goes to Drum Works, a Barbican Artistic Associate and music project based in East London that encourages social cohesion and improves educational and aspirational outcomes for its participants.
