“So much of my own health journey has been guided by the principles we use as artists in the act of creating. Being led by curiosity – experimentation – and embracing failure as part of the process.“
Uncharted Waters was exhibited at SICK AF, Nyisztor Studio, September – October 2024, as part of the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial
VISIT: SICK AF has been selected to tour Western Australia with Art on The Move for two years in 2025 to 2027.
Artist Statement
Uncharted Waters honours the personal journey of finding our way, of traveling and traversing our lives through the calm and rough seas, and occasional unnavigated paths.
This series was created as an act of empowerment – a reminder of one’s own powerful ability to embody positivity, inspiration, resilience, and protection; to create healing and growth; and to declare personal intentions.
Each ring is emblazoned with a word, that was imparted, warned or gifted during a medical or healing appointment.
During my health crisis, the studio became my sanctuary – a place to rebuild my identity and safely navigate my world. My journey was guided by the same principles we use in the act of creating: being led by curiosity – experimentation – and embracing failure as part of the process.
Progress toward these uncharted waters is slow – weighted like a ballast, righting itself when veering too far off course.
Each word represents a significant marker, like a GPS coordinate, tacking forwards, sometimes sideways, in the health journey.
Bejewelled with gemstones and textured metals, and hand stamped with gifted words, these rings were worn to therapies as a visual reminder of forever forging onwards.
Uncharted Waters
On tour with ART ON THE MOVE 2025-2027
shield protect / protect shield (ring, detail)
1. Amanda Alderson
shield protect / protect shield
(2021)
925 silver, brass; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 25cm x 15cm
2. Amanda Alderson
healing journey
(2022)
925 silver; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 14.5cm x 15cm
3. Amanda Alderson
slow & steady
(2022)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 15cm
regenerate, recharge, renew / persistence, patience, peace (ring, detail)
4. Amanda Alderson
regenerate, recharge, renew / persistence,
patience, peace
(2022)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 21.5cm x 15cm
5. Amanda Alderson
respect / protect, self assured, I am resilient
(2022)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 15cm x 15cm
chart your path (ring, detail)
6. Amanda Alderson
chart your path
(2023)
925 silver, brass, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 16cm
7. Amanda Alderson
breathe
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 11.5cm x 11.5cm
8. Amanda Alderson
Courageous
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstones; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
9. Amanda Alderson
Fearless
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone; wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 17.5cm
10. Amanda Alderson
healing
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 15cm
knuckle cluster (ring, detail)
11. Amanda Alderson
knuckle cluster
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstones, brass, lapis lazuli, 24 carat gold leaf keum boo, silverclay, moonstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 25cm x 15cm
12. Amanda Alderson
(unspoken)
(2023)
925 silver, 24 carat gold leaf keum boo, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 18cm
13. Amanda Alderson
safe
(2023)
925 silver, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 25cm x 14.5cm
14. Amanda Alderson
transform
(2024)
925 silver, Coober Pedy opal, Italian sea glass, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
15. Amanda Alderson
flow, enjoy
(2023, 2024)
925 silver, CZ gemstones, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 12cm x 12cm
16. Amanda Alderson
discover
(2024)
925 silver, pearl, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 20cm x 15cm
17. Amanda Alderson
trust the process
(2023)
925 silver, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 12cm x 12cm
18. Amanda Alderson
sanctuary
(2024)
925 silver, 9 carat gold, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
19. Amanda Alderson
charting your path
(2024)
925 silver, labradorite, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 18cm x 12cm
20. Amanda Alderson
ignore the periphery
(2023, 2024)
925 silver, CZ gemstone, wood, acrylic, twine, stone
3cm x 3cm x 1cm; 15cm x 15cm