The Ring of the Vast and Listening Sea

The Ring of the Vast and Listening Sea is the eighth ring of the first cycle of the series This Too Shall Break. This ring is devoted to depth, contradiction, and quiet attention, reflecting the way vastness can hold both stillness and force at once. Inspired by the sea, it honors the balance between silence and intensity, openness and mystery. The ring exists as a companion for reflection and listening, acknowledging that strength can be found in receptivity and that knowledge is often gathered through patience rather than assertion.

The ring is carved from a found piece of grey marble discovered along the Mediterranean shore outside of Massa, Italy. During carving, the stone resisted its original form, requiring a new approach that resulted in a more delicate structure than initially intended. The misty coloration of the marble reflects its origin, shaped by the sea and softened by time. The final form emerged through responsiveness to the material itself, allowing the stone to guide its own becoming.

This Too Shall Break is a series of thirteen cycles of thirteen stone rings. The project brings our idea of stone sculpture as large immutable things only to be shared in museums and public spaces down to earth. Each ring is small, delicate, and personal. It is a piece of wearable art which requires mindfulness for the wearer, changing the relationship between collector and art. These rings are not meant to be owned, but to be experienced, to grow with, and to take care of.