Materials: silver, gold
Dimensions: 3cm
hammer raised body and lid from a sheet of silver, hinge and catch soldered, pure gold applied with kum-boo technique
Photo credit: mario cesari
Mario Cesari
Pennabilli, Italy
My pieces do not appeal to a brand name or logo, they are not made to be just looked at or flaunted, they are made to be touched and worn with pleasure.
I do not copy, I do not follow any style, each piece is designed and executed by me, with my particular taste, creativity and skill.
I am an artisan, not an artist, I don’t make any statement with my works.
I just wish to combine functionality and technical quality in things of beauty, things which I like to use and am proud to show.
I usually make four or five pieces at a time, sometimes more because there’s no perfect model to be replicated, each piece, slightly different, stands by itself.
I only employ the classic techniques: chasing, casting, forging, carving etc.
I use only reclaimed gold and silver.
Other metals that I use (copper, iron, steel, aluminium) are recycled.
I also use boxwood and other woods, leftovers from cabinet makers…
I take the utmost care in each step of the construction.
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.
