So much of my own health journey has been guided by the principles we use as artists in the act of creating. Being led by curiosity – experimentation – and embracing failure as part of the process.
Artist Statement
Uncharted Waters honours the personal journey of finding our way, of traveling and traversing our lives through the calm and rough seas, and occasional unnavigated paths.
This series was created as an act of empowerment – a reminder of one’s own powerful ability to embody positivity, inspiration, resilience, protection, to create healing and growth, and to declare personal intentions.
Each ring is emblazoned with a word, that was imparted, warned or gifted during a medical or healing appointment.
Progress through these to the uncharted waters, is slow; weighted down like a ballast, righting itself when too far off course.
Each word represents a significant marker point, like a GPS coordinate, tacking forwards in the health journey.
Bejewelled with gemstones and textured metals with hand stamped gifted words, these ring were worn to therapies as a visual reminder of forever forging the path onwards.
Biography
Amanda Alderson is an artist and independent curator, with 25 years experience in arts and cultural management. Her artwork, curatorial projects, objects and jewellery draws directly on her research and background in cultural heritage and contemporary arts. Sharing stories is her passion.
This exhibition was borne out of her own complex healing journey – becoming SICK AF in 2021 with disabling injuries from her covid-19 vaccination. Curating and exhibiting in SICK AF has been a challenging three year inspirational goal – a place to forge a new identity, of tangible neuroplasticity, exploring the peripheries of what a damaged body can do; and of re-learning how to safely navigate her world.
Creating beautiful objects has been a beacon of light in her recovery process.
Amanda has a Bachelor of Arts, Visual Art, Curtin University, a Diploma of Fine Arts, Western Australian School of Art, Design and Media and a Diploma in Jewellery, Jewellers Academy London.
Connect
Website: amandaalderson.com
Website: studio.amandaalderson.com
Instagram: @studio_amandaalderson
Online shop: studio.amandaalderson/shop
list of works
1
Amanda Alderson
shield protect / protect shield
(2021)
925 silver, brass; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 25cm x 15cm
NFS
2
Amanda Alderson
healing journey
(2022)
925 silver; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 14.5cm x 15cm
NFS
3
Amanda Alderson
slow & steady
(2022)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 15cm
NFS
4
Amanda Alderson
regenerate, recharge, renew / persistence,
patience, peace
(2022)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 21.5cm x 15cm
NFS
5
Amanda Alderson
respect / protect, self assured, I am resilient
(2022)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 15cm x 15cm
NFS
6
Amanda Alderson
chart your path
(2023)
925 silver, brass, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 16cm
NFS
7
Amanda Alderson
breathe
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 11.5cm x 11.5cm
NFS
8
Amanda Alderson
Courageous
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
NFS
9
Amanda Alderson
Fearless
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 17.5cm
NFS
10
Amanda Alderson
healing
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 15cm
NFS
11
Amanda Alderson
knuckle cluster
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstones, brass, lapis lazuli, 24 carat gold leaf keum boo, silverclay, moonstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 25cm x 15cm
NFS
12
Amanda Alderson
(unspoken)
(2023)
925 silver, 24 carat gold leaf keum boo, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 18cm
NFS
13
Amanda Alderson
safe
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 25cm x 14.5cm
NFS
14
Amanda Alderson
transform
(2024)
925 silver, Coober Pedy opal, Italian sea glass, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
NFS
15
Amanda Alderson
flow, enjoy
(2023, 2024)
925 silver, CZ gemstones, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 12cm x 12cm
NFS
16
Amanda Alderson
discover
(2024)
925 silver, pearl, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 15cm
NFS
17
Amanda Alderson
trust the process
(2023)
925 silver, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 12cm x 12cm
NFS
18
Amanda Alderson
sanctuary
(2024)
925 silver, 9 carat gold, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
NFS
19
Amanda Alderson
charting your path
(2024)
925 silver, labradorite, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
NFS
20
Amanda Alderson
ignore the periphery
(2023, 2024)
925 silver, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 15cm x 15cm
NFS
Artwork
Exhibition
(launched September 2024)