SO MINT! ESTHER PARK

Esther Park: In my graduation work, I explored the overwhelming presence of plastic in our daily lives and how this material, often seen as disposable, can be reimagined as something meaningful and lasting through the language of jewellery. By repurposing plastic utensils and recycled aluminum cans into adornment, I aimed to challenge conventional ideas of value and permanence. This theme feels especially urgent today, as we are increasingly confronted with the consequences of overconsumption and environmental degradation. By transforming waste into wearable pieces, I reflect on both the excess and intimacy of plastic in our lives, inviting a more conscious engagement with materials we often overlook.

EP: Growing up in Korea and now living in the U.S., I have observed contemporary consumer culture and encountered new perspectives through different cultural approaches to materials, such as varying utensils used in daily life. I became particularly drawn to the accessibility and abundance of materials, especially plastic, which is widely used due to its ease of production and low cost. These contrasting experiences have shaped my perspective on discarded materials, allowing me to see them not just as waste, but as carriers of cultural habits and value systems.

In particular, the black plastic I use reflects this duality. Due to limitations in Near-Infrared (NIR) sorting technology, black plastic is mostly non-recyclable, symbolising its difficulty of reuse. Yet, paradoxically, it also holds conceptual richness, symbolising both invisibility and the potential for transformation. Through my work, I aim to navigate this tension and reimagine overlooked materials into meaningful adornments that resonate with both personal and collective narratives.