Ensemble - Differences Unite Us

Materials: Ebony, oak, nickel silver and chinese cashew lacquer (egg shell technique)

Dimensions: 7.5cm x 7cm x 1,5cm

Pendant formed with different woods joined together forming one piece which serves as base for a lacquered metal shape formed with three soldered slabs. As in an orchestra, different components united form a planned unit.

Photo credit: Marcos Zimmermann

Valeria Elina Dowding
Buenos Aires, Argentina

I was always fascinated by modes of expression that can involve most of the senses. Creating jewels in metal opened for me the possibility to combine several things: the exploration of metals and the pleasure of discovering its reactions in reply to different possible interventions (made by hand with intention, with tools, with fire; or by accident or chance and impossible to repeat voluntarily). To discover its qualities, of hardness, ductility, change of state, textures is a very magical and sensual exploration. To follow this path until the final result is, in this case, to reach the object-jewel. Anything can act as a trigger; the starting point can be a wave, a map, a constellation, a plant, a sand dune, an axe or an eel… What fascinates me is the process in itself the act of “making” this object or jewel independently from the final result. The final result also has something unexpected, surprising and unique for me. I think that maybe because of that they can be called “one-of-a-kind”. Each piece is unique with its particularities, of weight, size, form, texture and colour. It is what makes it natural that each one can correspond or acquire significance when worn by one particular person, almost as if the jewel had been made especially for that person (who chooses it) and not for another.


Ganoksin hosts the jewelry list Orchid, with over 13,000 list members from all over the world, speaking from a wide range of technical and aesthetic experiences. The exhibition theme grew out of a desire to celebrate the creativity encompassed in this wide variety.

Artists were free to interpret the theme in any way they chose. Each artist could submit up to six pieces. Interpretations include uniting different materials into one cohesive form; intellectual and emotional “unitings”, where the meaning of the piece unites multiple concepts; the uniting of time - past, present and future; and a number that focus on the harmony created when uniting multiple materials and/or concepts.

The work submitted involved a wide range of jewelry techniques, from very traditional to very cutting edge, as well as using materials from traditional precious metals and gemstones to “re-purposed” and “up-cycled” materials.

The exhibition showcases 330 images chosen from entries from over 111 artists representing 26 countries.

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Serbia, Spain, Trinidad, Turkey, UK, USA, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands

Many of the participants began their interest in jewelry at a young age. Some are relative newcomers to the field, and some have over 35 years of experience as professional jewelers and goldsmiths. While some grew up in families that were goldsmiths, and followed in those footsteps, others only began creating jewelry as adults.