The flower is always in the almond
copper, silver, bronze, vitreous enamel, paper, thread, found object
8.7 x 4.3 x 1.5 cm
collection of the artist
2012

This is the first locket in my Saudade locket series. Most of the images and illustrations, either etched or on lazertran, and some of the text, are from an 1800's children's book called Museum of Wonders.  Is that what our earth is going to be if we don't take better care of it, a museum of wonders? Are our children learning to care for the earth or use it as an ever-plentiful resource?

The text contrasts two forms of wisdom, one in which animals (and by extension natural life in general) are dominated over and thought of as "lesser" creatures. The other recognizes animals, or natural forms of life, as sources of wisdom and knowledge for mankind.

To activate the mechanics in this piece, you must hold the hand of the man and lift it up and down, as though it were your own hand. Think as you do, about how animals/natural forms of life fit into your general world view.  Are they peripheral? An irritation? A delight?  From textile artist Polly Hardy:  "...innately we are animals but have manipulated or elevated ourselves into something more ('more' being a self proclaimed 'more' as top of the food chain and perhaps 'civilized') however we are still incredible primitive and instinctual creatures. We almost fight against what makes us human or at very least, there is a huge inner struggle between morality and instinct."

Why do we love to get a fortune from the fortune telling machine? Because it implies that we are connected to something larger, that we are known and valued and noticed by the universe. We are. And every one of our actions should take this into consideration.

I'm sure you can guess what your fortune says, "the flower is always in the almond", from writer Henri Bosco--one of the most beautiful phrases of hope that I have ever heard.