Alive

We could never respond to his farewell letter.

Original
Object

Before reform:

Jade Gold Ring

It was an ordinary day, just like any other. Father had seemingly gone about his usual routine, leaving the family unaware of the weight of his actions. Silently, he placed his beloved jade gold ring, a symbol of his presence, along with all his possessions, inside a drawer in the bedroom. With a heavy heart, he penned a farewell letter and departed, forever altering the lives of those he left behind.

The departure of Father shattered the family, leaving them consumed by an overwhelming sense of remorse. They found themselves grappling with a multitude of emotions, questioning if they could have altered Father’s choice had they only noticed the absence of the cherished ring earlier. To navigate the depths of their grief, they sought solace in professional counselling, unravelling long-suppressed anxieties as the spectre of loss haunted their every thought.

Father's farewell letter, filled with words of love and concern, resonated deeply within their hearts. "Take care of Mother, get a life..." were his final instructions, leaving them yearning for more. The absence of any further words left an indelible scar, a constant reminder of the void he left behind.

Unable to bid him a proper farewell or respond to his letter, the family carried the weight of regret. Urgency filled their hearts as they sought to fill the void left by his absence. 

"Just carry it on, if you cannot let it go." It was decided: the precious jade gold ring, once treasured during his lifetime, would be divided into three. The jade transformed into a brass plate decoration, a symbol of his presence, would accompany Mother. The ring itself was split in half, becoming intimate jewellery for the siblings. Through this act, a new connection and unity were forged, as they carried a piece of him with them always.

In their journey of healing, the divided jewellery served as a constant reminder of their father's love and the bond they shared. While his departure brought immense pain, it also became a catalyst for a newfound sense of unity and strength. The presence of the jade gold ring, now transformed and divided, served as a symbol of their eternal connection, offering solace and comfort as they navigated life without him.

Story

Art Work

After Reform:

A Brass Plate with Jade, Two half-Gold half-Silver Rings

Chan Po Fung 陳寶鋒

Alive, 2022

Ring, Brass Plate

2.2 cm x 1 cm x 2.5 cm

Gold, Casted Silver, Jade, Brass

Design

Based on the owner's ideas, the designer proposed a “trinity” concept dividing the jade gold ring that once belonged to a deceased relative into three parts and transforming them into a series of three pieces. 

First employing metalworking techniques to separate the jade from its original ring, while the ring setting of the gold ring was carefully cut in half. Next, complex designs were digitally rendered, and advanced 3D metal printing was utilised to create two independent rings, each completing the missing halves. 

The completed rings were returned to the owner and her brother, offering them individual mementos. Additionally the removed jade was delicately placed on a brass plate, artfully crafted to serve as a meaningful decoration, accompanying the owner's widowed mother on her journey through grief.

RE: move on from the past.

We move on to the future.

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02. Reborn