Nidi (Nests)
Sissi Nidi ( Nests), 2019 18kt gold thread brooch with ruby, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds 9 x 9 cm circa Unique Nidi (Nests) is a project entirely handmade by the artist and consists of earrings and pendants that can also be worn as brooches or displayed as sculptures. Inspired by the idea of a safe place, these wearable sculptures like the natural nests, embrace the life and the body of the wearer. The gold pendant finds protection over the heart and when worn as a brooch, finds its peace between the branches of the ribs. Creating this sculptural piece for the one and only person to be unified with it, Sissi’s concept of the nest being a place of protection becomes very thought provoking as it is translated into a wearable piece of art. Nests can be displayed as a sculpture when taken off, and becomes a sculptural work of art that coincides with the individual when worn. Sissi’s meticulous crafts embedded within her anatomical investigations of wearable sculpture has metamorphosed her works into a second skin, akin to the wearer’s ritualistic daily life. Manual ability is central in Sissi’s work: she delicately intertwines and welds gold and silver threads with coloured stones and twists hand painted enamelled strips to make a new skin that represent […]
Calligraphy
Ute Decker Calligraphy, 2020 100% recycled silver brooch 13.5 x 5.5 x 3 cm Unique, signed and titled Calligraphy is at the pinnacle of Decker’s examinations following the narrative of the singular line. Like the freehand ink that brushes along the paper, this same freedom and expressive mark-making is mirrored in the fluid curls and manipulation of the silver ribbon in this unique brooch.
Scar
Gigi Mariani Scar, 2018 Silver, 18kt yellow gold, niello, patina, brooch diameter 5.5 cm unique and signed Working with old fashioned techniques, Scar is a sculptural brooch that incorporates niello, a blackener with the aid of sulfur, of which Gigi Mariani carefully conceals the preciousness of the bright silver. Fundamental to the expressive, pictorial medium of niello, the application of heat, “blood clots” and cracks appear in the surfaces — making them appear marked by age, creating such unique surface textures. Mariani engages his instinctive approach of using the metal surface as a canvas, and with niello, he interrupts that surface texture through his precise, geometric forms, dotting the brooch with a single linear pattern of silver droplets. In addition to precious metals, the basic materials of Gigi Mariani’s jewellery include iron, copper and brass. His incredibly sculptural and geometric wearable works of art have become a testament to Mariani’s incredible attention to materiality as both a goldsmith and visual artist.
Labyrinth
Gigi Mariani Labyrinth, 2016 Silver, 24kt yellow gold, niello, patina, brooch diameter 6 cm unique and signed Labryinth is a complex brooch that demonstrates GiGi Mariani’s incredible treatment of form and materiality. He works with antique, almost forgotten techniques. Combining his wearable jewellery pieces with niello, a blackener with the aid of sulphur, he conceals the preciousness of the precious gold and silver on the underside of the brooch. The unique attributes to niello are given under the application of heat; “blood clots” and cracks appear in the surfaces — making them appear marked by age, creating such a unique sculptural look to these works. Mariani engages his instinctive approach of using the metal surface as a canvas, incorporating he expressive medium of niello, he interrupts that surface texture through his precise, geometric forms. This brooch is indeed that labyrinth of topological surfaces, contrasted by its expressive texture. In addition to precious metals, the basic materials of Gigi Mariani’s jewellery include iron, copper and brass. His incredibly sculptural and geometric wearable works of art have become a testament to Mariani’s incredible attention to materiality as both a goldsmith and visual artist.
Storm
Gigi Mariani Storm, 2017 Silver, 18kt yellow gold, niello, patina, brooch diameter 5.5 cm unique and signed One of our major highlights, Storm is a remarkable wearable sculpture piece that epitomises Gigi Mariani’s examination with metal as his canvas for expressive mark making. Mariani’s artistic practice engages with an antique, almost forgotten technique. Incorporated in such contemporary, abstract form, the artist often uses niello, a blackener with the aid of sulphur, which conceals the preciousness of the silver and gold. This unique attribute to niello is given under the application of heat; “blood clots” and cracks appear in the surfaces — making them appear marked by age, creating such a ridged texture. In his instinctive approach of using the metal surface as a canvas, he heavily contrasts the precise, geometric form of the brooch with such expressive mark making attributed to the niello. In addition to precious metals, the basic materials of Gigi Mariani’s jewelry include iron, copper and brass. His creations’ unique aesthetic appeal is due to the fact that these sculptural and often cuboid pieces have been crafted by a goldsmith who also works as a visual artist.