All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Brother-hood (noun)
1. An association of men united in a common interest.
2. A belief in, or feeling of, unity and cooperation among men or among all people.

      My 'sash' examines brotherhood within postcode gangs. It signifies that even if we are born free and equal, issues such as what area we live in can mean that we are expected not to act towards one another in the spirit of harmony and brotherhood.
      There has always been a problem throughout history of gang warfare, whether in religions or tribes and knife crime is just a modern issue emanating from an old one. With the rivalry of postcode gangs comes the problem of gun and knife crime - people become branded by what postcode they live in even though their rivals often only live a street away.
      Knives used in crimes come in all different shapes and sizes, seen during the recent knife amnesties. My piece shows four different types of knives, fashioned in precious metals and incorporating stones, signifying that knives are treated as an accessory in today's society, often carried as casually as a handbag or mobile phone!
      Sashes in different tartan fabrics were worn by the Scots to distinguish between clans and by the military and royal families as part of their regalia, holding cultural distinction and pride. The sash has been used more recently to support causes such as the pink sash sported on hen nights and used to raise awareness for breast cancer.
      My knife accessories are attached to the sash fashioned from chains, the knives sit on the body over the breast/heart area illustrating the frailty of the human heart and how easily a life can be lost and showing the issue is close to many peoples hearts, especially the communities where these postcode gangs exist and friends/families of victims.
      Tags stamped with postcodes in the shape of street signs adorn the sash suggesting the areas where knife crime is a major problem, for example S3 (Sheffield), E5 (West London) and E11 (East London).