The Use and Reuse of Rock Art Designs in Contemporary Jewellery and Wearable Art

This chapter considers the role of rock art imagery in jewellery and popular culture materials. Our goal is to address the motivations of contemporary jewellery artists as they engage with cave paintings, petroglyphs, and other rock art. Several jewellers were interviewed and their work analysed. There is a range of responses to producing rock art–inspired jewellery from straightforward appropriation to culturally sensitive interpretation and translation. This research highlights the importance of understanding the context and content of jewellery artists’ responses to rock art as well as their motives. Using four case studies, the authors interrogate authenticity, appropriation, and ethical engagement. The responses led to the development of an analytical framework and an exploration of issues of appropriation.