"This project marks a milestone in my creative process, where repetition becomes the guiding principle in my pursuit of mastery. The inspiration for this remarkable endeavor arose during a visit to a diamond dealer. I was searching for diamonds of specific dimensions. The dealer took his collection out of the cabinet and poured hundreds of these precious gemstones onto his desk. With a swift motion, the diamonds were scooped up using a small metal dustpan and deposited into a sieve. Those that were too small passed straight through. This fascinating ritual unfolded repeatedly, with the diamond dealer refining his selection with each iteration.

At the same time, he told me about his early years, when he apprenticed with a diamond dealer in London. For months, he diligently sorted incoming diamonds, only for his employer to mix them all up again by the evening—so he could start anew the next day. But through this slow and deliberate process of repetition, he perfected his skills.

It is this captivating story of patient progress through repetition that forms the essence of my exhibition.

The 10,000-hour rule is a concept popularized by author Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers: The Story of Success. The rule suggests that to achieve mastery or exceptional expertise in any field, one must engage in at least 10,000 hours of deliberate practice.

According to his research, deliberate practice—focused and purposeful effort aimed at improving performance—is the key to acquiring a high level of skill in a specific domain. The rule is often cited as a guideline to understand how much practice is required to excel in a particular field.

Inspired by the famed 10,000-hour rule, I have devoted myself with determination to creating the same ring over and over again." Renée Leroy Viérin