My project is dedicated to all women fighting for freedom and equal rights. We are different but we have equal rights, wishes and freedom. In fact, we fight not for a kind of dress but for the choice. A scarf shouldn’t be a political manipulation tool or way. This project allows me to openly speak on equal rights and imposed demands that tie us up, bind and paralyse us. Through metallic zips, an aggressive material, there comes a feeling of not being free and under pressure. Oppression, fear and anxiety, fragility of the situation and a feeling of belief, struggle and hope, at the same time, characterise my work. Speaking about the character and visualisation of my jewelry, I have to say that I choose a placenta to be a leading element of my jewelry form. A placenta is a symbol of life with its ability to keep and protect us when making our decisions. The placenta symbol backs up viability idea of equality by feeding and developing it.
Placenta necklace
Zhanna Assanova
Photo credit: Kamilla Kairatovna
Bio
Assanova graduated from Art school in Kazakhstan and independently designed her own technique having combined rough aggressive metal zipping with soft wool and textile.
She took part in NYC Jewelry Week (2022); has been nominated by ‘Born Nomad’ Kazakhstan (2022); her works are published in Nicholas Estrada “New Earrings” book publication (2022).