Hair work embellishments to a wood pendant utilizing a new technique of applying finely cut hair in a tattoo motif. (Elfriede and Christina Witz)HAIR! We spend so much time and money styling and caring for our hair and then we get a trim and it gets swept away and forgotten. Not everyone feels the same way though. Throughout history, there have been many examples of hair used as an artistic medium. In this posting, we'll look at some examples from contemporary artists who make jewelry and images out of human hair.
As a token of affection in the Victorian era, it was not uncommon for people to exchange lockets of their hair in decorative pieces of jewelry and other accoutrements. Hair works were also used to mourn the loss of a loved one. There is a good description of some of the techniques at the Victorian Hair Jewelry website (http://www.victorianhairjewelry.com/victorianhairwork.html).
There are a small number of artists who have kept the tradition alive and continue to innovate in the genre of hair art. For example, German artists Elfriede and Christina Witz (http://www.myperceptionart.com/images/nutshell/art_in_a_nut_shell.htm) have been making beautiful contemporary pieces of hair art including jewelry made from tree nut shells, egg shells, hair, glass, and wood. Elfriede and Christina were so kind to share photos and samples of their work, which includes palette work and hair paintings.
Hair work pendant from Elfriede and Christina Witz made from tree nut shell, hair, and Tiffany glass with a one Euro cent coin to show the scale of the piece.
Hair work pendant from Elfriede and Christina Witz made from tree nut shell, hair, and Tiffany glass with a one Euro cent coin to show the scale of the piece.
Hair work embellishments to egg shells (Elfriede and Christina Witz)
Hair work embellishments to a wood pendant utilizing a new technique of finely cut hair. (Elfriede and Christina Witz)
In the next posting (Hair Art II), we'll look at other examples of contemporary hair art including horse hair pottery, embroidered hair drawings, and even a purse made of hair.
A special thank you to Elfriede and Christina Witz for sending amazing samples of their work and for sharing their photos. Please visit their website for more photos of their work and to inquire about a piece that suits you.
http://www.myperceptionart.com/images/nutshell/art_in_a_nut_shell.htm
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