Breath of the Barren
This project imagines a speculative future in which the Earth has been overtaken by desertification, and both humans and animals struggle to survive amidst dust, heat, and dwindling resources. Inspired by the worsening sandstorms of my hometown, Inner Mongolia, the series explores how jewellery can transform from decorative object into survival tool, cultural artefact, and emotional symbol. The wearable pieces—such as goggles, masks, and amulets—are designed to respond to the harsh realities of this imagined world. Using materials like loofah, leather, brass, and paper pulp, each item balances functionality with symbolism. The work also extends protection to animals, proposing cross-species jewellery as a gesture of shared resilience. At the heart of the collection is an amulet that represents a fictional “Desert God,” inspired by deep-rooted desert plants. It speaks to faith, adaptation, and endurance in the face of collapse. Breath of the Barren is not just about survival—it is about memory, loss, and hope. It asks how we might live, what we might wear, and what we might believe in when the world we know disappears beneath the sand.
Human Goggles
Human Goggles
Human Goggles
Earcuff
Animal Goggles
Mask
Earcuff
Mask
Amulet
Mask
Amulet
Amulet
Amulet
Amulet