Hypatia

Joy BC Hypatia, 2021 bronze, 18kt recycled yellow gold steel and garnets brooch 10.5 x 8.5 x 1.5 cm unique “Hypatia was a force of nature. A Greek Philosopher and Mathematician. A woman who was written about by Plato in a patriarchal society. She was also murdered. In previous works, I have explored the hidden histories of forgotten female heroes, creating miniature-monuments in their honour. This brooch is to celebrate and honour Hypatia – but also to protest against violence to women. The historical recurrence of violence to women, for simply being a woman, is barbaric.In ancient times a brooch could be an emblem of authority, wealth and power. Brooches have also often been a mode of protest or a billboard of one’s beliefs. Think of badges with slogans on or the suffragette pins.The red patina and the deep blood red garnets represent bloodshed. Both bronze and yellow gold are affiliated with artworks from the Hellenistic period (323 BC-31BC). This work combines a noble metal (gold), most associated with jewellery, with a material (bronze) synonymous with sculpture”.