Finding the Fern Flower

This bronze headpiece is modelled after the textures, curls and terrestrial properties of ferns. Ferns most of the time serve no economic purpose but have shaped earth’s fauna majorly. Since the disappearance of the dinosaurs, they have been nourishing the environment and creatures around them. They can be eaten, function as fertilizer and inspire folklore.
The myth of the fern flower which is based on misinformation and misconception made me think of self-love and acceptance, that are often so difficult to find. Just like the fern flower, they cannot be found when looked for in the wrong places - but once found, it spreads like spores, no matter the circumstance. Just like ferns do through sori, their reproductive systems.
As a queer person in heteronormative and patriarchal society, it took me a long time to embark on the search for the fern flower, even though it is said to be clearly illuminated by the moonlight in folklore.
The sphere of the crown aims to create a space for queer bodies and is filled by handmade cotton lace in the fern lace stitch to introduce comfort into the space.
The sphere is created and protected by ferns, moss and a retake on the fiddlehead spiral shape that is found in young fern leaves through the found object of snail shells.
The crown connects the question of gender to the crown of the head (or the higher self) with earthiness and rootedness in nature.

Material: Bronze, Cotton