Jewellery box | Shellworked by Marilyn Russell

Continuing the tradition of shellwork which has been handed down to her from her mother Esme Timbery, Marilyn Russell's work represents her connection to the past and a process of healing. Through these fine art objects, Marilyn keeps Bidjigal women's shellwork tradition alive. Tracing back to the early 1880s in the La Perouse area, Bidjigal women created similar items that were sold to tourists visiting the area. Prior to this time, Bidjigal people used seashells to make fish hooks, jewellery (for both men and women) as well as sacred objects. Marilyn is ensuring the longevity of this tradition by passing this practice and cultural knowledge to the next generation, just as her mother Esme did.

These distinctive shellwork jewellery boxes are hand formed from cardboard, covered in velvet and fabric, and then intricately embellished with shells and glitter. Each one is unique in their design, shell combinations and patterning. For the love in your life to display as a piece of art or use as a treasure trove for their jewels.

Related work: Presented en masse, as in Esme Timbrey's work (currently exhibited in MCA Collection: Artists in Focus), the slippers represent a memorial to The Stolen Generation. Through the slippers silence and emptiness, they bear witness to the absence of the children who were forcibly removed from their families and community throughout the Twentieth century.

Details:
Heart shaped box with lid
Approximate size:  20 x 19 x 9 cm
To view more works by Marilyn Russell click HERE