Faded Heirloom

This work began with a mandala design inspired by a treasured silver jewellery box once owned by my grandmother and later gifted to me by her sister. The piece took an unexpected turn during its creation; working at such a large scale presented unforeseen challenges—i.e transport and weight. In response, I adapted the format from a circle to a rectangle that filled the entire frame.

The background patterns were drawn freehand, influenced by medieval Armenian motifs—an homage to my heritage and the ornate visual language of the past. Though the outcome differs from my original vision, the process of adapting and evolving the work became a meaningful part of its story.

I plan to return to the original circular mandala concept in the future. Both the motif and the story of the jewellery box remain rich sources of inspiration that I continue to explore.

This piece measures 2.1m x 1.4m