Twist - Marsden Jade

Carved by Jen Hung
Pounamu Marsden Jade
Pendant 6.5 x .3cm
Adjustable Cord 

The twist with its crisscross form represents the many paths of life and love and as such is regarded as the original eternity symbol. The single twist in particular shows the joining together of two people for eternity. Even though they sometimes move away from each other on their own journeys, they will always come together again sharing their lives and blending to become one. It tells how the strength of bond of friendship, loyalty and love will last forever. The double and triple twists have a similar meaning but refer more to the joining of two peoples or cultures rather than individual

Jen loves listening to classical music when carving: As I listen to music and draw, I can see the flowing lines. The music inspires me.

Other inspiration comes from Maori art, the New Zealand bush, scenery and the
natural environment. Her art echoes the abstracted shapes of plants, water currents and landforms.

Even the smallest carved stone work takes many hours to craft, but Jen cannot
put a time on how long any one piece took her to make, designing, then grinding
and polishing in her home workshop before plaiting the string.

When you are making these, you are not thinking about value or time. You are just thinking how to make it beautiful.