Faculty of Design

Material Art & Design

Zahra Mansuri

Hold and Handle

This piece has five crochet pieces that each resemble a specific finger bone of the right hand. Inside each crochet piece are rocks that are placed where the joints of the finger would be located. At the very top of each crochet piece is a real animal bone that has been stitched to the crochet piece with wire. The back of the animal bone has also been stitched to a silver band ring. The bottom of each crochet piece is attached to a silver cuff that wraps part way around the wrist. (Photo: Zoe McLean)

“This piece addresses the following symptoms, chronic fatigue and pain. Using imagery from the human skeleton this piece focuses on the human hand. Five bones matching each one finger in the hand are crocheted in the round from thin silver wire. This crochet technique creates a hollow form that is flexible and pliant. The limp quality of the crochet ties to feelings of fatigue. Encased inside each crochet finger are multiple small rocks, a sign of pain felt deep into ones bones. Attached to the end of each crocheted finger with backstitching is a real animal bone that is attached to a silver ring band. This piece is worn on the inside of the right hand, facing the palm, when worn this piece limits mobility in the hand, a visible indication of what chronic symptoms can feel like and how they directly affect motor function.”