Semi-Precious is a conceptual art piece exploring ideas of memory, the past, and
transformation. Individual gems are fired using the ancient Japanese Raku technique. Raku, which means “happiness in the accident” was traditionally used for ceremonial tea-ware and the process is both alchemical and ritualistic.  Each uniquely glazed gem is exposed to combustible elements- personal items such as love letters, clothing and other intimate objects- in a process which infuses them through fire with the memories and qualities of the past. These individual gems are then piled together creating a growing mountain- the rubble of the past, transformed into semi-precious stones, by the energy of fire and the passing of time.