Page 24 - SMCK Magazine - Issue #01

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Anna Watson’s latest work transforms pre-fab Greek votives into
“ANCIENT CULTURES H A V E A” HUGE IMPACT ON MY WORK
objects
reminiscent of Neo-expressionism
Interview by Loukia Richards
LR: Why you are attracted to votives?
AW: I see jewellery potential in their shape and form; votives are often jewel- lery-sized objects and also imbued with deeper meaning. They offer a relations- hip between the material and the ethereal that I find pleasing.
I was initially keen on Mexican ex-voto, retablo, and lamina, which are little paintings often predicting the hopeful
outcome of a wish or prayer. I then began to look at Greek Orthodox tama, the silver, tin, or gold rectangles de- picting an image and also used to faci- litate prayers, desires, and wishes.
The colour in my work is inspired by Me- xican ex-voto paintings and by the fact that it makes the object fun and playful. I spend time ensuring pieces work as je- wellery as well as isolated objects.
Photo: Anna Watson