Genealogy

One day, Tiffany Rowe’s attention was captivated by an unusual cameo brooch. Her friend wearing the brooch explained that the jewel was a heritage from her grandmother. Spellbound by the beauty of the object, which was beautifully crafted in gold and ivory, Tiffany decided to create a contemporary rendering of the heirloom. Using techniques similar to those used in dentistry, Tiffany set about moulding the brooch that her friend had kindly lent her. Using resin and metal leaf, each cast is carefully carried out by hand. Far from an identical series such as produced by a machine, Tiffany noticed that each new object was slightly different and thus reflected the beauty of not one, but of many women. This process of moulding vintage jewellery has thus become a questioning about heritage, transfer and transmission during the lifetime of a woman. The artist thus pays homage to four ladies and four generations: a friend, a grandmother, the mysterious figure portrayed in the cameo and finally Tiffany herself.

Photography by Guillaume Furst