Songzhuoma Gu

About

My project focuses on the traditional Tibetan jewelry I have been studying. One of the most beautiful aspects of Tibetan attire is its intergenerational inheritance. Through this process, wealth is passed down to the next generation, along with the blessings of the elders.

The starting point for my design is considering what I, as a Tibetan designer and artist, can pass on. My inspiration was to create an heirloom that could preserve family memories.

During my research, I learned that Tibetans are a people who believe in the cycle of reincarnation, which usually applies to living beings like humans, animals, and plants. Jewelry, however, does not participate in the cycle of life and death, making Tibetan jewelry the perfect medium for preserving cherished memories.

In terms of material selection, I chose not to rely on advanced technology. I also considered the sustainability of my project. Therefore, I reached out to my family member who is a monk in a monastery. He shared with me the story of our family heirloom. Long ago, an old monk would often beg for alms near our home. One day, after we warmly hosted him, he bent an iron rod into a hook shape with his bare hands. He told us that this sacred object would protect our family. This heirloom has been passed down through generations in our family.

In my project, I aim to capture the sacred power of this object to preserve our family memories. I embedded this sacred object into my jewelry designs. I also designed a jewelry box, allowing future generations to customize their jewelry according to their preferences while preserving and showcasing the family memories stored within the piece.