Faculty of Design

Material Art & Design

Richard Coutts

Hercules necklace with labradorite drops

I see jewelry as an expression and celebration of the body. Our bodies are incredibly resilient yet still vulnerable, thus we must learn to respect both our strengths and weaknesses. The life-story of Hercules is a cautionary tale reminding us that even the strongest man in the world is still vulnerable. The wearer of these pieces has to acknowledge the beauty as well as the weakness of the flesh.

“The life of Hercules can be taken as a lesson for our own lives. His great strength did not protect him from being betrayed. These pieces serve to remind us that we all possess incredible power, however, we must remember to remain humble and respect the fact that nothing is assured in life.”