The mythologies that have moved Joy BC to tears
Blood, sweat and tears go into Joy Bonfield-Colombara’s jewellery — literally. “Sometimes I nip the edges of my hands [and] I get blood on the pieces because it’s a very physical labour of love,” says the Italian-British goldsmith, known as Joy BC. “Tears, both of joy and exhaustion, and relief and pleasure, and sweat because of the physical labour.”
She has chosen the saying as the title for an 18-carat yellow gold ring, her first self-referential piece. It features part of a face, the chin of which bears the scar on her own, and an unheated natural Mozambique ruby tear. The jewel is one of six new works among the more than 20 pieces that form the artist’s first UK solo exhibition, Between Ruin and Root, at Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery in London until November 10.
Written by Kate Youde
Published on 2 of October 2026
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