Breakfast jewellery

Genie Lee travelled from Korea to Invercargill in 2003 to study nursing. It must have been surprising then, three years later, to find herself in Dunedin investigating the artistic possibilities for IV bags and fried eggs.

Commercial jewellery is concerned with precious metals and pieces that have an eternal life. Surely that's what it should be. Not so, says Genie, a graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Jewellery and Metalsmithing) who is preoccupied with challenging common notions of value and the meanings we assign to our 'trinkets'.

"People always have an idea of what jewellery should be. When you choose jewellery, do you choose it for yourself or for what others will see? A ring by Gucci says one thing, but maybe your breakfast says more about YOU - after all you are what you eat!"

Genie developed a collection of pieces featuring breakfast food as part of her BRA. A loaf of bread, a fried egg, a jar of spaghetti all became the means by which she could express her ideas artistically. Her other work has included installations using ice, dead fish, IV bags and second-hand soft toys; our 'abandoned friends'.

"Teachers encouraged me to experiment with other mediums in order to express my ideas. They said you're not just a jeweller, you're an artist. I can use any materials I want."

Genie was also selected to show her latest collection (her own interpretation of the rosary bead) at the Armstrong Prestige Dunedin Jewellery Breakfast. Having visited Vatican City and found a gold cross for her mother way out of her price range, Genie set out to create her own version using materials that were equally precious to her - like soap.

The one-time scientist turned nurse student turned jeweller has found a home for her work in New Zealand, so if you ever find your breakfast missing, best you try searching for it at a local gallery!