Dead Insect jewellery

jewellery from the Dead Insect Collection RECENTLY I have been photographing dead insects that I find lying around - each of these creepy, crawly, annoying, stinging creatures prove to be amazingly beautiful up close! BUT even though they are vital to the health of our planet we are continuing to destroy them and their habitats and so they are now in serious decline (1) ….too easy to ignore, and too easy for us to spray and squash. SO I have been making things that we can wear to remind us of their importance. I collect, photograph and then print and mount the images into discarded costume jewellery that I find in Op Shops. Each is a one-off handcrafted object - this is not a production setup! Each dead insect belongs with one piece of jewellery only …individual and not just one of many. Things that have been treated cheaply are now remade as a precious, personal adornment. These photos are from pieces I made for the OBJECT exhibition at The Shutter Room Gallery, Whangārei, 2023. I have continued to make more and you can check them out on my instagram and facebook pages or email me to find out more of what I have been making... ellie@ellensmith.co.nz

installation shot from Object exhibition at The Shutter Room, Whangārei

Ngaro Tara brooch image detail $100

installation shot of Tanguru brooch from Object exhibition at The Shutter Room, Whangārei

Tanguru brooch image detail $120 (sold)

Wāpi necklace envelope image

installation shot of Wāpi necklace from Object exhibition at The Shutter Room, Whangārei


Wāpi necklace image detail $100 (sold)

installation shot of Kokoroihe earrings from Object exhibition at The Shutter Room, Whangārei

Kokoroihe earrings image detail $100 (sold)

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