WHAT IS HAIRWORK?
Hairwork is the art of transforming strands of human hair into keepsakes to celebrate the life of a loved one, a family lineage, a wedding, birth or any special moment in life.
Hair is incredibly durable and flexible when woven together, which makes it perfect for nearly any type of jewelry or framed art. It will last for generations without a sealer or protective coatings, allowing the hair to retain its natural texture, and shine.
WHAT IS HAIRWORK?
Hairwork is the art of transforming strands of human hair into keepsakes to celebrate the life of a loved one, a family lineage, a wedding, birth or any special moment in life.
Hair is incredibly durable and flexible when woven together, which makes it perfect for nearly any type of jewelry or framed art. It will last for generations without a sealer or protective coatings, allowing the hair to retain its natural texture, and shine.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Prior to the age of modern photography, a gift of a lock of hair was seen as the highest expression of love in European culture. It was a way to stay physically connected to your loved ones as travel opportunities and means of transportation grew through the industrial revolution.
In the 18th century, hair began to be woven in to fine jewelry designs worn by royalty. By the Victorian-era, new techniques in metalworking allowed the middle class access to inexpensive gold designs that mimicked the sentimental and mourning hairwork jewelry worn by the upper classes. These quickly began to incorporate more intricate hairwork techniques, personalized engravings and eventual photographs of the beloved.
A HISTORY DISCUSSION
Join Gina as she goes into the archives at the Gibbes Museum of Art, with curator Sara Arnold, to discusses their collection of 18th & 19th century miniature portraits and the hairwork styles that were incorporated.
Plus a brief look at the tools used for table-braiding long chains of hair and palette-working hair into flat weaves.
Gina was a Visiting Artist at the Gibbes October 26, 2020 – November 22, 2020
HAIRWORK TECHNQUES OFFERED BY GINA
Click the images below to see how its made and the amount of hair required
TABLEWORK CHAINS
BASKETWEAVE IN LOCKETS
KNOTWORK IN LOCKETS
Get in Touch
To get started with the design process, please continue to the contact page to fill out the questionnaire.
Questions?
For more information on how much hair and the different styles options, please check out the Process page.