Fertile Ground

A collection of work created for the FERTILE GROUND exhibition, curated by Clodagh Molloy at the DONNER, wie Blitz for the Munich Jewellery Week 2025.

Fertility, in all its forms, is a profound force that fuels creativity. Like the oyster that, in its quiet depths, forms a pearl from irritation and discomfort, the act of creation often arises from an inner need—a response to the world’s pressures and the desire to transform them into something beautiful. For the oyster, the grain of sand is an unwelcome intrusion, yet over time, it nurtures this irritant, covering it layer by layer until a luminous pearl is born. Similarly, the creative process often begins with something small, painful, or unformed, but with time, care, and perseverance, it blossoms into something extraordinary.
This act of nurturing mirrors the experience of motherhood. The pearl necklace, long associated with femininity, embodies the connection between womanhood, fertility, and the act of giving life—whether to a child, an idea, or an artwork. In both the literal and figurative sense, fertility is a catalyst for transformation, turning discomfort into beauty, giving birth to new expressions and identities. Just as the oyster nurtures the pearl, the act of nurturing, whether of life or creativity, shapes and refines our personal and artistic expression.