Unseen Worlds: Luke Hammond on the Intersection of Science and Jewellery

Last month, we welcomed Australian neuroscientist and jeweller, Luke Hammond to Russell Place, all the way from Ohio, USA where the artist is now based. Hammond’s practice draws on his groundbreaking work in biomedical imaging, transforming the intricate structures of living cells and the mysteries of consciousness into sculptural, wearable art. In our conversation, he shares how his research fuels his jewellery-making, the role of biophilia in his designs, and why he believes the union of handcraft and advanced technology will shape the future of adornment.

PO8: Your work beautifully merges the scientific with the aesthetic. Can you share a specific instance where a discovery in biomedical imaging or neuroscience directly inspired a jewellery piece, and how you translated that complex scientific concept into a wearable art form?
 
LH: Thank you, this reflects the space I’m navigating both in art and in biomedical research. The images we capture of living cells and tissue are incredibly important for scientific discovery, but they’re also often beautiful and evocative. I remember being captivated when we first began capturing 3D images of astrocytes and microglia, intricately branched cells in the brain that weave between neurons. Some of my earlier pieces drew directly from these observations, combining gemstones with fine gold branches reflecting their delicate cellular forms. However, the images we explore are so complex, and inspiration rarely comes from a single moment, but rather from a slow synthesis of being continuously exposed to this otherwise hidden world.

PO8: Biophilia is a fascinating concept that underpins your designs. In what ways do you hope your jewellery encourages wearers to engage more deeply with their own innate connection to living systems, particularly in a world that often feels increasingly disconnected from nature?

LH: Biophilia is a deep and meaningful aspect of my practice. It is my hope that my jewellery sparks or strengthens an awareness of our connection with all living things and reminds us of our fragility and transience. It is so easy to forget this in our daily lives and lose sight of the wonder of being alive. The overabundance of information and facts can crowd out deeper curiosity and create an illusion that we have everything all figured out. My focus is on celebrating the rich and complex beauty beneath the surface and creating a reminder that there is more to this existence. That there is much more to us than we can imagine and that there are layers in our world that remain obscured.

PO8: Given your expertise in cellular imaging and exploring unseen worlds within the body, how do you approach representing something as abstract as consciousness in a tangible, physical piece of jewellery? Are there specific visual metaphors or design elements you frequently employ?

LH: While consciousness can’t be seen, it can be traced and reflected upon with abstract forms. I often incorporate radiating motifs and complex scintillating textures to create a sense of emergence. I also incorporate delicate veiled forms to play with light and partially obscure or reveal gemstones. The analogue process of working with wax also helps me create organic forms that feel alive, not always perfectly symmetrical, but fluid, with a sense of unfolding.

PO8: As someone who operates at the intersection of art and cutting-edge science, where do you see the future of this unique blend heading? Are there any emerging scientific discoveries or artistic technologies that you're excited to potentially incorporate into your practice?
 
LH: In terms of scientific discovery, I’m excited by the advancements in artificial intelligence and the progress they will enable in translational research, drug discovery, and treatments. As part of my work in science, I’ve developed software using deep learning to accurately reconstruct nerve cells in 3D to quantify their connections with other nerve cells and also to describe the shapes and complex interactions of immune cells in tissue. The rapidly closing gap between the digital and physical worlds, from high-resolution scanning to 3D printing, is also exciting, not only in the lab, but across disciplines from science to design.

In my jewellery practice, I’m continually navigating the balance between digital precision and the intimacy of analogue approaches. For some designs, there are elements that benefit from the precision of 3D printing, which I pair with the slower tactile process of hand working in wax and gold to complete a piece’s organic form. In a world where so much can be made by machine, I feel the time spent hand-finishing, refining details, and setting gemstones is essential to creating something of meaning and value. I believe it’s the subtle details and the close attention behind them that imbue the work with the presence we can feel and cherish.

I have mixed feelings about where things are ultimately heading with the growing use of AI in art and craft, especially since it has become clear that creativity is not as sacred as we once thought. What does it mean to live in a world where endless images of any style can be generated and instantly translated into 3D files? I’ve spent time reflecting on where my practice fits in this new world, and I still firmly believe there is value in creating, even more so than before. Part of it is an essential pursuit to connect with a story that’s evolving beyond our conscious awareness. At the same time, I also feel it is an integral part of our time here to keep growing through this process of exploration and sharing it with others. When everything can ultimately be performed more accurately and efficiently by artificial intelligence and machines, this journey and the gift of one’s time, effort, and attention in creating something meaningful may be one of the most valuable acts we have left, apart from caring for one another.

Luke Hammond’s work invites us to view unseen beauty, translating the language of science into pieces that resonate on a deeply human level. Explore his collection for Pieces of Eight Gallery, available in store and online.