Royal College of Art student Joy Bonfield-Colombara has funded her way through art school by creating a hand-carved effigy of Lil Wayne in solid 18 carat gold with diamond tears, for the American rapper.
The London-based goldsmith, who goes by the name Joy BC, was commissioned to create the one-of-a-kind piece by a friend of Lil Wayne to mark the rapper's 36th birthday, as well as the release of his latest album Tha Carter V.

The pendant, titled An Icon, takes the form of Lil Wayne's face suspended on a gold chain, made from 18 carat gold and engraved with miniature replicas of his distinctive facial tattoos.
The rapper's tear tattoos, which represent the deaths of people in his family, are illustrated as teardrop-shaped white diamonds, set into the gold face.
 

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In addition to helping her gain more recognition for her work, the commission of the pendant has also helped BC financially, allowing her to pay her university tuition fees.
"This year I was seriously considering dropping out of school because I couldn't afford the fees," she said. "The commission came a few weeks before I was due to start my second year, and meant that I could pay for school and continue to pursue the career I am so dedicated to."

The piece draws on BC's interest in ancient and classical artefacts that have been purposefully broken or ...