MARTIN SPRENG – RESILIENCE NECKLACE

Birth of an Exceptional Piece

M Spreng had come upon an exceptional piece of Snow Obsidian from Mexico. Obsidian is symbolic of self-confidence and a shield against exterior aggressions, but this one had been broken in two. At its sight, something stirred in the Artist, who has always been attracted by unique, perhaps imperfect, but always expressive stones.

The Snow Obsidian had been “upended” and fractured – like so many lives around the world due to Covid. Its integrity threatened as previously stable situations and the best-laid life plans were ripped apart by the unprecedented challenges, shocks and pressures exerted by the pandemic.

Then came a blazing Fire Opal also from Mexico. Considered the stone of love, vital energy and protection, this Opal somehow belonged with this fractured Obsidian.

M Spreng inserted the Fire Opal into the fault, consolidated the two with a flow of Gold, then firmly secured the ensemble with a fine, polished rim of Titanium in such a way as the Opal was visible on both sides.

Life Upended

On one side of the medallion, a mask of Titanium “twigs” whose irregular, organic lines barely reveal the Opal.  A sense of solitude and muted joie de vivre, forced into hiding, separated from friends, co-workers, family. Yet our warmth and humanity timidly shone through as we learned to smile with our eyes, to multiply to small gestures of kindness and seek reassurance…

Life Restored 

The creation’s other side seems to celebrate “life as it should be” as we re-emerge and reconstruct our Upended Lives. The Fire Opal is fully exposed on a pathway of Gold punctuated by a constellation of M Spreng’s signature chiseled motifs, the Obsidian polished to perfection.