Abstract
This study uses Afrikaner and Hungarian identities to examine the dynamics of absence and presence. Drawing on Jacques Derrida’s (1973) notion of absence and presence, it explores how the dominance of my Afrikaner identity has often coincided with the relative absence of my Hungarian heritage, and how the passing of my grandfather intensified this absence, creating a sense of longing that subtly influenced my sense of self. Using an autoethnographic approach, the research investigates how absence and presence inform memory, cultural knowledge, and identity, while also applying a practice-based research approach to explore how creative practice can facilitate the recovery and expression of a ‘lost’ heritage. Situated within a qualitative, autoethnographic framework, the study incorporates narrative-rich responses from members of my extended family in Hungary to inform the conceptual development of the jewellery pieces. In line with Jack Cunningham’s (2008) view that jewellery can serve as a vessel for personal and collective narratives, the pieces created transform memories, familial stories, and cultural symbols into material artefacts that embody memory and belonging. As such, this practice-based research approach enables the jewellery pieces to represent a certain level of reconciliation of personal narrative with inherited cultural knowledge gained through this study. An important finding of this study is that memory resides in multiple senses, particularly sight and smell, which play a vital role in the process of reconnecting with and expressing cultural identity. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that absence and presence, viewed through a Derridean lens, play a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and fostering belonging. By integrating autoethnography, qualitative inquiry, and creative practice, the study offers both a personal and scholarly contribution, illustrating how practice-based approaches can reconcile with silenced or fragmented identities and materialise memory in transformative ways.