Interview with Dimitra Besiou

- What path led you to become a contemporary jewelry artist?

Since I remember myself, I have always had a passion for jewelry. In 2019 the sudden loss of my beloved father, left me broken and devastated. Sometime later, a rare French porcelain plate came to my hands. It was broken but still beautiful, dating back to the 1960s. That piece had to be saved in a way. I started working on transforming it into a unique piece of earrings. It was at this point when my passion rose in a therapeutic way, helping me heel. I would work on pieces all night long till the very dawn. I would actually emerge into my very own world where I would feel a unique and, so much needed, sense of happiness, peace and comfort.

Every new piece would remind me that life, even in its darkest scenes, even if it breaks you, is always evolving and it can still be beautiful.

- What inspires your collections the most?    

My inspiration derives from a blend of contradictions. In order to transform the old, in a sense of a rebirth adorned with present perceptions, I find myself charmed by both traditional - historical elements and modernistic or futuristic forms.

As a result, I am always inspired by Greek Tradition, ancient sculpture, the Renaissance Era, cultural habits, and the aura of history in general. Modern architecture, contemporary art and urban images would also trigger my creativity.

- What role do personal emotions play in your creativity?

Personal emotions are the key to my creativity. My emotional status, while in the creative process, affects all aspects of my creations, whether this is the color, the shape, the size or the complexity of my pieces.

Each of my pieces reflects a story my inner self needed or wished to narrate at the time of its creation. Eventually, this is what art is all about, in my opinion. Being blessed with the incredible opportunity to express your deepest feelings, share them with the world and be set free.

- How do you choose to represent uniqueness in your creations?

All of my pieces are one of a kind and cannot be recreated. The uniqueness of the porcelain used itself is also a basic aspect while collecting my materials. I only use porcelains that sustain a special value in terms of rarity, history, quality or location of origin. This way each piece can be uniquely identified and acknowledged for its originality and authenticity.

- Is there a piece of jewelry you are particularly proud of? Why?

This would be a piece I was assigned to create for an event in honour of the international day of “Women in Arts”. It was a piece of earrings combining ten different types of porcelain originated from ten different countries. The piece was quite large with a complex arrangement.

The idea was to create a unique piece assembling parts of porcelains originating from as many countries in the world as possible. The concept was realized into a beautiful piece of wearable art. It was my way of paying my respects to all the incredible women out there who fight and thrive.

- How do you envision the future of contemporary jewelry? 

I would like to envision it as a future enriched with more ecological techniques for less waste, sustainable, following respectful and ethical practices of manufacturing. A future more innovative on grounds of ideas and materials.

And mostly, a future where absolute freedom of expression for all artists all around the world will prevail. Free of intrusive external effects. Serving art its aims, however these are translated for each artist of the world.

- Is there a message or philosophy you wish to convey through your creations?       

Two concepts guide and emerge through my creations. Acceptance and passion. Accepting things you cannot change is a real struggle but at the same time a great virtue. Once acceptance is managed the power of passion will evolve life to the next chapter. Conquering these two values will bring piece of mind and soul and lead to progress.