Hannah Pittman

My work explores aspects of positivity and wellbeing when confronted with illness, specifically pain and its physical and emotional impact, and whether jewellery and related objects can have a positive effect and aid towards wellbeing.


This is a very personal and self-analysing project, which has grown from my being diagnosed with a chronic pain condition in my back and pelvis for the last year. Through analysing the impact pain has on the body and mind, I have been exploring the effect on emotions, pain relief, reward systems and posture.


I am also developing this project to work with women from Endometriosis UK to see whether modern-day amulets can be made for women without prior beliefs, to aid wellbeing.


I have been taking prescription drugs over the last year. Although necessary to enable me to function day to day, the pills have also had the negative effect of reminding me of the underlying cause of why I am taking them. After taking the first few pills I decided that for each pill taken there should be a positive outcome – I am casting every negative left in the pill blister packs, creating 856 pieces to make into a personal amulet.