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Ring of the Month…

Ring by: Ornella Iannuzzi

Name: THE UPRISING RING

Material: Arabian pearls and diamonds (1ct) set in 18k rose gold

Web: https://ornella-iannuzzi.com/

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Point of View ... Hanna Hedman

Hanna Hedman is a talented artist coming from Sweden. Her artistic biography is extremely rich in spite of her young age. Began studying art at Western State College in the US, and she turned  strictly towards jewelry at Konstfack in Stockholm and at the annual exchange for Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, New Zealand. For Konfstack received both Bachelor's degree (BA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the department of goldsmithing and jewelery. It should be noted that Hanna was awarded several times; which received the second prize at the competition "Preziosa Young" in Italy and the award for talent at the "So Fresh Award 2009 - The jewelery award by Pierre Lang". As is clear from the conversation with her, work for Hanna is an addiction. Wonderful habit that is difficult to satisfy. I invite you to read the point of View Hanna Hedman.

Jewellery...

Jewellery to me is an art form that comes closer to a person than any other form of art. Jewellery can be bold statement directly placed on the body; a piece of jewellery sits on the body and speaks directly from the body out, but it also travels with you to places and visits you in your home. A painting doesn’t have that power. Jewellery is interesting in so many aspects and I can’t stop being fascinated by it.

Statement:

Beauty might be seen as vain, but I find it interesting to contrast beauty with the unpleasant, serious and not so nice. The sad and disgusting can also be something beautiful. I use beauty to get the viewers attention, but there is so much more that I would like to convey other than beauty. I try to keep an open attitude to methods and materials as I find my way to new techniques, combinations and approaches, but simultaneously always strongly rooted to the past.

Daydreams integrated with reality and stories of past centuries blend with everyday life and nature. My jewelry holds ornamental stories that entice you into a suggestive world full of detail; sometimes beautiful but also melancholic and malevolent. 

Inspiration...

I find inspiration everywhere in my daily life. I always collect patterns, photographs and I keep a sketchbook with me at all times. Inspiration doesn’t appear in any particular moment. It’s more like an even flow. I wish I had more time to explore all the ideas I have.

Each series of work is inspired by different subjects/feelings depending on what I am going through/experience in my daily life.

My latest series Human Tree from 2010 is a series of necklaces inspired by a journey to Mexico. I was really inspired by this amazing country of ancient roots, rituals, and religious Milagros. Milagros is religious folk charms that are traditionally used for healing purposes and as votive offerings in Mexico. Milagro literally means miracle or surprise and are in addition to religious and ritual applications also found as components in jewelry. The human body is also the inspiration of this work.

I am also inspired by using beauty to lure you into my work, but I like to work with subjects much less superficial than the aesthetics my jewellery portrays. For example a lace element in my work can be a lace of chopped-off fingers if you look more closely. I think the eye stops when it becomes interested in something or finds it beautiful, but I want to make work that is more beyond the beautiful. But it can also be in a way that I mix elements considered aggressive or “scary” with innocence.

I have different intentions in different series. I have always liked details and ornaments. I remember looking at a detailed painting for hours as a child making up stories. I am drawing inspiration of this fantasy land that you look-into and make your own mind about.

For me its also important that everything is made by hand so you can see the flaws in the drilling and the cutting. In this way my obsessiveness is also presented.

I see the narrative more as a help for me to create around and not something that I can have control over when the pieces of jewellery has left my workbench. I can decide how much I want to be told or shown. Maybe the setup in an exhibition or the photographs adds to the stories that I want to convey, but I also understand that you can’t make people feel a certain way, if their feeling is different from yours. You always have to be prepared that the viewers or wearer have their own personal histories that don’t go with to yours.

Materials...

The last years my limitations have been in material since I have only worked with metal. I also use techniques as limitations to make frames for myself. What’s is the most I can do out of this technique? and so on. I love metal for its many possibilities and historical value. My art reference jewelery of past centuries, but the development of each piece progress more organically with limited predefined planning.

When I make jewellery I also want the pieces to be able to be worn. It can be that they are difficult to wear and even hurt you, but they always have a relationship to the body in the the reference to the size of the body and the shapes of the body. 

Workshop...

The good thing about my life is that there is no typical day in my life. Every day is different and that is what I really enjoy. At the moment I am setting up and renovating a new workshop/office. I have not had a workshop to work in for the past 5 months since I have spent that time restoring this space together with tree other artists. We have done all the work by ourselves; building walls, painting, putting down floor, putting in water and so on, so it is taking a long time. It is a space in the central Stockholm. We are close to completing and I look forward to be able to sit down and work again very soon. 

I can be an artist on day, a builder the next and then a teacher. Every day is different.

My perfect workshop is very large so I can spread out. I feel limited in a small space and I need to surround myself with inspiration. I spend most of my time in the workshop. I like to be surrounded by my work and I can become quite obsessive when it comes to working hard in periods.

I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have a workshop. I don’t feel well when I can’t create. Creativity is a large part of my existence and what makes me feel complete.

Traditional or contemporary...

I find it difficult to choose between the two. I am very inspired by the traditional techniques of silversmithing, but I don’t want to stay in the traditional. I use techniques that are considered traditional, but I try to make them in my “own language”. I want to push the limits of what jewellery can be; In size, concept and material. 

Limitations...

No, time and money is the only limits and the physical limitations of my body off-course. My body doesn’t allow me to work as hard and much as I want.

Web: http://www.hannahedman.com/

p.s. Interview was made few years back.

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Brooch of the Month

Artist: Chao-Hsien Kuo

Name of the piece: Snow Flower with Golden Stripes (2010)

Material: 925 o/oo silver, 999 o/oo keum-boo gold foil

Webiste: http://www.chao-hsienkuo.com/

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Collier of the Month

Artist:  Susanne Klemm

Name of the piece: Frozen

Material: polyolefin, 40x40x8cm

Webiste:  http://www.susanneklemm.com/

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Ring of the Month…

Ring by: Alidra Alić

Name: ‘flora'  / hyacinth 01

Material: 925 silver, plastic strawberry quartz

Web: http://alidraalic.com/

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Point of View... Yeal Herman

Yeal Herman is an Israeli artist who lives and creates in Tel-Aviv. She works with jewellery over  25 years. Yael has graduated from jewelery design and crafts metal on Umanita School of Craft and Art and postgraduate studies in the direction of product design at the "Bezalel" Academy of Art and Design Jeruzlem. Her life is also interesting episode related to the field of study in the department of chemistry, from which derived the knowledge in the art of jewelery is very useful. She took part in numerous exhibitions both in Israel, New York, London and Chicago. Since 1982, she has own gallery, which sells hers unique designs for both private collectors and the regular customer from Israel and abroad. I kindly invite you to the point of view of Yael Herman ...

Jewellery...

My favorite jewellery is usually my last design, as I design first for me and what I would like to wear next.

Wearing my jewellery is an intellectual experience as well as spiritual one.

Inspiration...

Inspiration comes from architecture, places I visit in the world, like Japan, Guatemala, Morocco, etc.

New technology I discover that I can use in different way with new materials.

And questions I often ask myself, as:

What is random?

How can I do as less as possible and still mark my signature?

Can a square ring with the same proportion be different every time

Like fingerprints?

A Jewellery as a game, constantly changing with movement humor and surprise.

Materials...

I started my work as a very traditional goldsmith, and over my 25 years of working

I found myself fascinated and inspired with the freedom of choosing different materials such as: Stainless steel, aluminum, gold leaf, plastic etc. 

Workshop...

My workshop contains all the traditional instruments for a goldsmith to be able to

make jewellery, and computer with Rhino software to design and use all the technology and machinery that is needed to carryout the idea.

Traditional or Contemporary...

Contemporary, experimental, modern and post modern jewellery

As in art, architecture, clothing etc, the new and innovating next thing is

bringing us forward as an intelligent and creative society.   

Limitations...

In my opinion there are no limitations in jewellery as long as it is wearable.

Directions...

There is no direction and everything is possible and doable, but communication

And globalization makes it very difficult to find our inner individual voice.  

Motto...

My motto is: doing what ever excites me and learn a new thing every day. 

p.s. this interview took place few years back.

22k Crashed Ring

MOBIUS STRIP -18K gold ring diamonds

Aluminum bracelet

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Brooch of the Month

  Artist: Luzia Vogt

Name of the piece: Brooch Zuckerblume 5 (2014)

Material: synthetic material , silver 925, steel

Webiste: http://www.luziavogt.ch/

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Collier of the Month

Artist:  Terhi Tolvanen

Name of the piece: Ronde stipjes (2005)

Material: Wood, paint, silver

Webiste:  http://www.terhitolvanen.com/

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Ring of the Month…

Ring by: Marcin Tymiński 

Name: no name

Material: silver, 24k gold-plated

Award: 2010 Editor's Choice in a category:  Overall Originality and Inspirational Craftsmanship Award during IJL in London.

In possession of the collector.

Web: http://www.tyminski.art.pl/

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Point of View... Sebastian Buescher

Sebastian Buescher young artist coming from Cologne, Germany. Despite his young age the account already recorded several major exhibitions, both group and individual, from the USA to the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and other European countries. Educated at the University of Westminster in London at the Department of Art And Design at London Metropolitan University, majoring in Jewellery and Silvermithing, and in 2006 he received a master's degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Brighton. Winner of several awards, including first prize at the The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Buescher works are unique and can not be passed without any reaction from the public. The same applies to the individual artist. I hereby invite you to the Point of View by  Sebastian Buescher ...

Jewellery...

I think that my favourite jewellery stems from tribal cultures and ancient societies, where adornment had meaning. Whether from Native American tradition, ancient Egyptian culture or Oceania, I tend to be drawn to these strands of jewellery the most, tantalized by the use of material, often very basic materials that happen along the way, such as bone, shell, hair, etc, which is then worn with purpose and meaning, whether to signify practical stature or for magical endowment.

Jewellery, to me, is a tool with which I express myself and my ideas, often revolving around emotional human themes. I often times completely separate my creations from the body, letting them exist in white space, independent from needing a body to complete them. However ironic this may sound, as it is a complete paradox, it also fuels my work. This is what jewellery has become to me.  

Inspiration...

Life inspires me! What I feel, where I am, my thoughts, people, places and situations all inspire me to work. Life and jewellery have merged to become one unity to me, inseparable as life and work.   

Materials...

I love the use of ceramic in my work. Ceramic needs to be treated well in order to survive. The wearing of a ceramic jewel becomes the act of awareness. Attention must be paid and care must be taken. This means that the jewel no longer melts in to the present moment, disappearing among the clutter of the day. This also brings me back the concept of purpose, in this case, wearing jewellery with purpose. I think that much of this has been lost in the disposable modern culture, where jewellery is a mere way for enhancing beauty, short-lived, often cheap and fashion-based.

Workshop...

At the moment I don’t have a workshop. I am at my parents’ place in Germany because I have been traveling around the world for the past two years and find myself pleasantly homeless until I know what is next. If I had a workshop now, it would be more like an artist’s studio rather than a small cramped jeweler’s corner with a tiny table. I work on the floor, in the kitchen, on a table. I need space to see and my working hours depend on my creative energy levels, in other words, I work with creative energy only. When this energy is there, I can work all day long. If this energy is not present, I do not work at all because I have learnt that it will be a waste of time.

Working is pleasure and without this pleasure, working does not make sense to me. Right now I am at that stage where I have all the materials for my new collection, all the ideas, but the energy I work with is not here and so I am not working at all. I think about working, but whenever I start, I tend to stop again a minute later.

Traditional or Contemporary...

Contemporary jewellery of today will be the traditional jewellery of tomorrow. It means moving forward, breaking barriers and boundaries and moving beyond the limitations of what has been done already. I like parts of the traditional jewellery movement, but tend to classify myself as contemporary because I like to imagine that what I give to the world is a re-defining of what jewellery is and not a regurgitation of the past.

Limitations…

The main limitation, as I see it, is that contemporary jewellery is still a tiny, microcosmic pocket that exists in the world that is not being seen. There are a few galleries and shops, a few exhibitions here and there and not many clients for this field. This makes is difficult for jewelers to do what they do and still earn a living. I have been doing this for 6 years now and I often feel like giving up because I want to be able to do this and earn enough money, ie my full-time job. But that is perhaps a dream for the very far future, as I am learning.

Another barrier is that galleries work on a sale or return basis, happy to show the work for a while, but then happy to return it to you if it doesn’t sell. This may be great for the gallery, but for the artist jeweler involved, this also means continuously having to make more new work to stock galleries that ‘sometimes’ sell a piece. A more balanced approach would help the artist a lot, I think.

Directions …

I have no idea.

Motto …

‘Work is pleasure’ is one motto. And ‘work must be worth doing’ is another. These are my mottos and they come from my experience.

P.S. This interview was taken 5 years back.

Name: Encrusterium V

Name: Mountain Range

Name: White Death

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Two years ago I had the ambition to lead a blog about fantastic jewelry designers ... unfortunately I had to give up ...

But!Now ... I know how to make the day last 25h ;)

Through the years I have gathered my own conversations/ interviews  with some amazing  jewelry artists; both the very well based in the jewelry world as well as the new truly talented ones... I cannot  be selfish and decided not to take those Point of Views  with him to the grave ;)  I want to share them with you.. and tell about those great figures in the world of jewelry! 

It's a plan!

Each month I will present a "Point of View" of  one selected artist together with some photos of their works (chosen by themselves). Moreover, subjectively I'll choose three projects of the month in the sections: Ring of the Month, Brooch of the Month and Necklace of the Month ...

I hope that this blog will make you a lot of fun :)

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Brooch of the Month

Artist: Francis Willemstijn

Name: Sorrow 2004

Material: Rosewood, silver.

Web:  www.willemstijn.com

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Collier of the Month

Artist: Agnes Larsson

Name of the piece: Carbo 2010

Material: Carbon, Wire, Horse hair

Webiste:  www.agneslarsson.com

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Ring of the Month...

Ring by: Karl Fritsch

Name: Untitled 2005

Material: cooper goldplated, ruby

Web: http://www.klimt02.net/jewellers/karl-fritsch

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Point of View... Anthony Tammaro

Anthony is highly talented American artist. He got his education at The University of the Arts and Tyler School of Art Elkins Park in Philadelphia (US). Moreover he studied at Domus Academy in Miland (It). Since 2008 he regularly takes part in art projects, exhibitions, art fairs and competitions that take place mainly in USA but Europe knows his pieces very well. As he says about his works: "I do appreciate an undulating line of the organic form. Symmetry is also one of my interests, although I prefer it in small doses. Technology is the corner stone of my work and I attempt to use it to my advantage in both my creative and production processes".

I am inviting you to Anthony's Point of View...

Jewellery ...

For me jewelry has a direct connection to the body. The body activates my work. In a way the body is my canvas. The body constrains my work to it’s specific functional needs. It is sensual, sexy, primal and beautiful. It is the most basic form of expression. Jewelry design is the most challenging form of creation as the connection of user / product is so close. When I get it right its wonderful… when I don’t it’s very bad.

  Inspiration …

My inspiration comes from many natural and un-natural things. My most recognizable work draws it’s inspiration from undersea creatures. Hard and soft bodies moving through a churing ocean. Lately I have been very interested in natural plant matter rendered in plastic. I call this work the “Super Un-Natural” It makes reference to man’s ongoing battle with Mother Nature.

  Materials…

I can’t say that I have a favorite material. I’m very curious and I try not to limit myself to a specific material or process. I should say that there are a few materials that I am very fond of. Most of my work up to this point has been created using 3D software and additive manufacturing processes. The material used in this process is Selective Laser Sintered Nylon. It is naturally white but can be colored in many ways. It is strong and flexible. It allows me to create objects which would be impossible using typical manufacturing techniques or materials.

  Studio…

I am lucky because my workshop is in my home. It consists of areas for hand work and digital design. Since it is in my home I am able to spend many hours working in comfort and convenience. This is also a problem sometimes as I am unable to get away from my work. Mostly it is a good thing to be so close to your work. The idea of my perfect workshop is one which is connect to a bank. A shop where money is no object and I would be able to create the most expressive and influential work the world has ever seen.

  Traditional or contemporary …

I view my work as mostly contemporary, although it is clear that my work is influenced be the traditional nature of design and function. Since I use digital software and additive manufacturing processes my work is seen as new and driven by technology. For me it is a wonderful place to be since technology is constantly advancing, I am able to keep my work fresh and new.

  Limitations… 

This is a great question: I have thinking about this topic for some time now. I think the biggest limitation to Art Jewelry is the publics perception of it’s value to society and it’s worth as an expressive vehicle. I’m speaking form my experience with Art Jewelry in the States. It is my opinion that people are uneducated when it comes to jewelry as an art form. Everyone in the US relates to, and consumes jewelry at some point in their lives. I think they treat it as a commodity not an art form. They give value to it’s materials and it’s brand name. Besides that I don’t believe that the average consumer is aware of jewelry artists who create expressive art with non precious materials. The population of educated viewers and collectors is so small here in the US. It’s a problem. Not to mention we artists have to compete with the television for our viewers attention, and this terrible economy. It has tested my commitment to this art form.

  Directions …

Jewelry is heading nowhere. It’s going where ever we take it. Will we all get rich and buy huge pieces with gold and diamonds? Will the world economy crash and art jewelry will respond with non-precious work denoting our status by means of intellectual and esthetic association? Will computers help create a world where work is downloaded via the web and produced on our home 3D printers? I’m not sure. I think we will know once we get there.

  Motto …

While I’m working I often think of my fellow artist in the art jewelry world. “What are they up to?” “How does my work relate to the zeitgeist of this period?” Mostly my motto is “make it new, make it innovative, make it beautiful”. I think Art Jewelry is one of the most challenging forms of artistic expression. Since you are working with “the body as site”, you are faced with a few rules of function, which are inescapable. The work has to fit the body… no glue, no tape, no magnets, no string. The notion of jewelry may sound simple at first glance, but when you have these design parameters laid out before you it makes creation much more meaningful and challenging.     

Anthony Tammaro website: 

http://anthonytammaro.com/

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Anthony Tammaro Object One 2009

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Anthony Tammaro Necklace LatticeTwo 2009