Interview with Alchemira
- What path led you to become a contemporary jewellery artist?
The path that led me to become a contemporary jewellery artist is an unexpected one. I had a long career made of many different jobs - freelance graphic designer, photographer, sandwich shop worker, West End theatre employee, and even music video creator. When Covid-19 hit in 2020, I needed a job I could do from home, excel at, and utilize my 20 years of accumulated experience. After trying both ceramic and metalwork in taster classes, I discovered jewellery making was the perfect fit and pursued more extensive training.
- What materials do you prefer to use in your creations, and why?
When it comes to materials, I primarily work with silver and resin, mainly because they're what I can currently afford and they work well with my 3D printing and mold-making process. The metal serves as a skeleton for my pieces, while the resin adds colorful accents. I hope to experiment with gold, enamel, wood, and glass in the future, once I have access to the necessary resources and equipment like a kiln.
- What inspires your collections the most?
My creative inspiration comes from the aesthetic of objects and art I encounter in daily life. It might be the pattern of a metal fence in my neighborhood or the lighting grid in my apartment building's elevator. I absorb various art forms and let them process in my mind until they emerge as fully formed ideas, sometimes in dreams or during brainstorming sessions.
- How would you define your style in the world of jewellery?
In terms of style, I would define my work as iconoclastic and stylish. I deliberately avoid traditional high jewellery approaches, which I find repetitive and uninspired despite their technical excellence. Drawing from my graphic design background, I emphasize strong visual lines and bold colors, aiming to create pieces that evoke emotion and showcase personality.
- How long does it take you to create a piece, from concept to final realisation?
The creation timeline for my pieces varies significantly. Some pieces come together perfectly in about a month, while others require months of prototyping and occasional complete restarts. Some projects get caught in limbo between other work and can take over a year to complete.
- How do you choose to represent uniqueness in your creations?
My approach to uniqueness involves deliberately avoiding trends and traditional rules. Rather than catering to market demands, I create for self-expression, using non-traditional materials, techniques, and aesthetic choices. I aim for my taste, skills, and craftsmanship to resonate with others naturally.
- What innovative techniques do you use in the creation process?
My innovative creation process centers on 3D modeling and printing, which allows for extensive design experimentation before financial commitment. I also use vacuum chambers and pressure pots for bubble-free resin work, and create custom packaging through 3D printing and laser cutting. This technology-driven approach helps me compete despite being newer to the field, while ensuring every aspect of my work, from the piece itself to its presentation, remains distinctive.
