FEATURED IN AUSTRALIAN BASED MAGAZINE, GARLAND HELD IN AUSTRALIA [June 2020 - July 2020]

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, when physical exhibitions paused and creative spaces moved online, I had the meaningful opportunity to share my academic and artistic research with a broader international audience. From June to July 2020, my writing and jewellery work were featured in the Australian-based publication, Garland Magazine—a platform dedicated to exploring craft, culture, and design in the Asia-Pacific region.

My article, titled "I Wear Letters from the Past", unraveled key themes from my Master of Visual Arts (MAVA) thesis, focusing on the relationship between identity, embodiment, and the physical act of making. I explored how these ideas materialized through the practice of contemporary art jewellery, turning abstract theory into wearable, expressive artefacts.

From Thesis to Global Dialogue

This feature marked an important step in transforming academic research into a public conversation. Writing for Garland allowed me to articulate my ideas to a wider audience, sharing the intention and philosophy behind my creative process as VON ARA.

Alongside the article, I was invited to participate in the Garland “Ring Around” Online Seminar—a digital event connecting artists and thinkers worldwide. The seminar expanded on the article’s themes, offering a rare opportunity to exchange insights on how jewellery can express complex cultural and personal narratives, especially during times of isolation and change.

Creating Connection Through Craft

Though separated by geography and lockdowns, this experience reminded me of the power of jewellery to connect us—across disciplines, across continents, and across screens. It was an experience I reflect on with gratitude and one that continues to inform how I approach storytelling through the VON ARA brand.

You can read the full article here: 👉 I Wear Letters from the Past – Garland Magazine