Genevieve-Amelia

Shunyata is a one-woman project with all pieces being original and one-of-a-kind, designed and hand crafted by myself, Genevieve Amelia.

In 2006, my background in costume design, fine art, and textiles as well as my interest in tribal cultures and my life-long fascination with natural history, led me to start creating wearable pieces of art, mostly comprising of whatever I could find that nature didn't have any use for anymore.

I've always been intrigued by vastly different cultures to my own, in particular primitive tribal cultures and their expression through adornment and how their spirituality, symbolism of their beliefs and their relationship with nature was reflected in their dress - using the only materials available to them; what nature had provided.

My work is the culmination of a range of professional skills and techniques I've learnt over the years and a personal exploration of my own spirituality. I study dharma and whenever possible try to integrate this within my artwork. I use animal remnants in my work as a reminder of the impermanence of everything in the material world.

Modern western culture seems to view the natural decay of living things with disgust or aversion, death still being a taboo subject. Yet decay is an inevitable and natural part of life and the imperfections of nature are what make it so incredible to me. I like to think that through my work I can challenge others to think about their perception of the world and reality, to see clearly the transient nature of everything, to love, but not grasp at or become attached to it....................

I don't have a team working for me - I do everything myself, from sculpting and hand dyeing the feathers and fabrics I use, to beading, jewellery making, hand sewing, wire-work, hand painting / inking skulls, various taxidermy processes, and of course sourcing materials for my work. Please bear this in mind when purchasing my work. I don't use cheap quality materials and I use proper construction techniques. I spend a lot of time making the finer details of each piece and this is reflected in my prices.

** Please note - No animals were killed or are killed for the purpose of creating my pieces. I only use animal materials that would otherwise be thrown away (by-products) and go to waste, or remnants I find in nature and preserve myself. I believe in recycling materials and not letting anything go to waste - this includes using organic, natural products that serve no use for the animal anymore such as shed antlers or moulted feathers.
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The world is full of resonances. It constitutes a cosmos of things exerting a spiritual action. The dead matter is a living spirit. (Wassily Kandinsky)
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