First piece inspired by Tibet

These are some of my initial design concepts.

I first thought about doing an earpiece that fits around the back or over the ear. I wanted to use metal and cotton to create the same feel as the head pieces worn by the monks.

I then moved into the idea of using the form but re-interpreting the look and texture of the piece. I made the piece bolder and less haphazard. I played with the idea of using cotton to replicate the soft feeling of the hats which inspired this piece. I found that by sewing the cotton through the metal I could create a very interesting texture.

This style of radiating line is also found in the Tibetan flag.

I used this form to create this round domed design. I wanted real ribbon to hang from it to represent the prayer flags found all over Tibet.

This design changed the real ribbon to metal which has been twisted to imitate ribbon.

 This was the design I decided to manufacture

Inspiration

I am working with Buddhist iconography that is seen in Tibet but for my first piece I was inspired by the elaborate hats worn by the Tibetan monks who belong to the Gelugpa school.


These large yellow hats are symbols of the modern school of Buddhism with whom the Dalai is associated. This final wave of Buddhism was started by Tsongkhapa who also founded the Sera and Drepung monasteries.

I found the shape of these hats to be very interesting and dynamic.

http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/images/sera-monastery10.jpg