Spot the Designer - Gabriel Jardim de Paula/ Brasil

What did you want to be as a child?

Since I was a child and until today I have always had a lot of desires. I remember always wanting to be a nurse, an astronaut, among others. An artist I've always been because, deep down, everyone is, or is it potential to be.

When did you start creating jewelry? How did this passion come about?

In adolescence, I read a lot. I really liked The Lord of the Rings book, especially for the 3 elven rings, and I loved the story of having a partner object that gave us or reminded us of powers that are part of us. I was very interested in mythological materials. My mother noticed and suggested me to apply as a minor apprentice in jewelry at SENAI, an industrial apprenticeship school. Since I was 15 years old I have been in love with the world of jewelry.

What was your first project or piece that was meaningful to you and from what point of view?

Is there a self-portrait piece that speaks most about you?

I did a photo performance work in 2018, quite honestly this work was about flowering our uniqueness by changing our identities.

What material have you not used yet is a temptation and a challenge for you?

nfts and the digital world. I feel the need to get in touch with jewelry making. I'm training to master these materials and technologies to be able to use them in my work, so that I can do it myself. I am very interested in the aesthetic possibilities they offer. I believe there is something revolutionary about digital materials.

How was the pandemic period for you as a jewelry designer?

During isolation, several agonias began to pass me by. In the impossibilities that moment brought, my reaction to this agony was to make jewelry. My period of greatest growth, where I learned to understand that we are what we count. In financial terms, it was a complete disaster. I believe that, like many of us, we are recovering now. Given this global suffering, it was beautiful to participate and see initiatives of solidarity and connection between the most diverse peoples in the world who make jewelry. let's come out stronger.

How do you see the future of contemporary jewelry?

I see the future of jewelry as multiple, collective, accessible, creative, international, multimedia, interdisciplinary, technological and political.

Find more about the designer Gabriel Jardim de Paula