Marina Kim, George Brown College
“To me, the theme ‘Starry Night’ is an idea of a magical night full of shooting stars to make wishes upon. Everyone, deep inside, believes in magic or in something inexplicable. I have put nine shooting stars on my cuff—nine magical wishes that will surround the wearer’s hand. These stars will transfer their energy, help in accomplishing goals, and make wishes come true. Number nine is the number of magic in numerology. Also, it is a symbol of completion, fulfillment, wisdom, and the universal love.
“All parts of the cuff have been hand-sawn out of a sterling silver sheet. The texture on the stars has been roller-printed and the lines on the star tracks have been engraved. Two layers of sterling silver sheets have been sweat soldered. The piece has been oxidized and touched with steel wool to give a gentle satin finish to the stars. Nine clear synthetic spinels have been flush-set in the centre of each star.”
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Kim came to Canada nine years ago and is in her second year in the jewellery arts program at George Brown College (GBC). She also holds a degree in art and design.
Samuel Lin, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design University
“When I got the theme ‘Starry Night,’ what I first thought of was a nursery rhyme that evoked memories of my childhood: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.” It reminds me of how my mother taught me to sing it. Now, I’m far away from home. When I feel lonely at night and look up at the starry sky, I miss my family. When I sometimes get lost and become confused, my mother always gives me help and support. In my heart, she is the star to show me the way and give me hope in the darkest times.
“I used sterling silver darkened by liver of sulphur to make circles. In the middle of the pendant, the big pearl, which has a mild and warm light, represents my mother, and the small pearl represents me. Surrounding the pearl are blue, green, and purple stones and a golden brass ball. I want to use these to show the colour of the stars. All the stars stand for my whole family, and we are together. Everyone has their own starry sky where their own very important person exists, who has the power to light up the night.”
Lin a second-year student in NSCAD University’s jewellery design program. He finds himself drawn to jewellery “because it has the magic to cure my ADHD and makes me patient and confident.”
