Design process on the “Cave” collection started from studying a fragment of a rough Polar Jade, sourced from the Green Mountain Jade mine in British Columbia. Structure and colour of this beautiful material inspired me to do a series of detailed drawings which followed with the making of the first sample piece (pictured).
The design includes elements in fluenced by the modern art (particularly Cubism: Picasso and Braque) as well as primitive sculptures and ethnic carvings from the region of Central and Eastern Europe, specifically the Mazury region in north-eastern Poland, where I come from.
Folk tales and ethnic crafts had a big in uence on the development of my artistic sensitivity since my early age. Even though I was far removed from my childhood environment, love for the primitive sculpture prevailed throughout my design career. I continue to explore close to my heart subjects and build new ideas based on those experiences. This collection takes its shape as I continue to develop more designs based on the subject research and gain more experience with processing new-to-me materials, lapidary skills and and jewellery-making techniques.
Note: The concept of this collection was featured in a finale of the Young Designers Competition at the Gemworld Munich in 2018 and in the finale of the PRIX FRANÇOIS-HOUDÉ 2019. Selected pieces were displayed in the post-competition exhibition at the gallery La Guilde in Montreal. Catalog from the exhibition can be accessed here.
Top of the page: Still-life with the works by Dominika Durtan. Stone sculptures made in St. Mark Limestone sourced from Quebec and “Cave” – jewellery collection featuring sterling silver and Polar Jade sourced from the Green Mountain Jade in British Colombia.
Sterling silver, Polar Jade; Accent stone: round mixed cut Ceylon Sapphire.
Design, lapidary and jewellery fabrication by Dominika Durtan
Sterling silver, Polar Jade; Accent stone: round mixed cut Ceylon Sapphire.
Design, lapidary and jewellery fabrication by Dominika Durtan