Joanna Gollberg is one of the 'super star' jewelers i have admired for years. (I *will* own a piece of her jewelry.. i just have to save up for those lovely purple earrings at the Metal Museum!)In her new exhibition at Velvet da Vinci, she displays pieces that have a slightly different narrative than her usual work- they're documentations of her travels in wearable, portable, and extremely beautiful form. Just when i thought i couldn't adore her anymore, she goes and does this. :)
From the exhibition release: (click the image above to go to the full text)
On this pivotal new body of work, Gollberg writes:
“I had never before given myself permission to use (these elements) in my
jewelry, because they were physical objects that kept me connected
to places that made my whole heart feel crushingly full... I chose to use
techniques that I rarely employ in my day to day jewelry making life—mold
making, wax carving, casting, enameling which gave me deep pleasure. I
freely used gemstones and materials that suited each piece,disregarding
any pre-planned price structure... The results are twofold: I am spiritually
refreshed and ready to re-enter my work life anew, and I have created a
body of work that is personally meaningful, yet still beautiful and true to my
aesthetic.”
I relate strongly to this kind of creation- the spiritual refreshment and the personally meaningful part as well as the desire to create with no pre-planned price structure. That's creative freedom.
I also relate strongly to the idea of being a gatherer... I've got little jars of things i've picked up on trips that sometimes work their way into jewelry or art projects, but more often just get pulled out, arranged and then I decide that they're still too precious to put out into the world. I still need them to invoke the smell of the surf in Cozumel or the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet as i hiked to a waterfall. I envy her ability to share and covet her pieces all in one breath.
Most importantly, i am reminded that 'being creative' and 'being an artist' isn't an action you do at a certain time or a certain place. It is something that permeates everything you do. It's what makes you look at the ground as you walk along the beach, picking up the perfect limpet shell or pebble, it's what makes you notice the shiny landscaping rock that has fools gold on it in the flower bed outside the restaurant you're having dinner at. It's what drives you to take a picture of the table at Starbuck's, to the protestation of your friends because of the way the light, shadows and texture relate. It's about color, texture, sights, sounds and smells and how we can capture those, preserve them and ultimately share them. And by capturing and sharing these things, teach others how to see the world in its full HD, 3-D wonder.
