ISLAND #1: FRANCESCA URCIUOLI
ISLAND
\ ˈī-lənd \
#1
An island is something that can be spotted at a distance, encircled by the sea and by the horizon.
An island is a place that changes as its limits are always redefined by the growing or shrinking of its coastline.
An island distinguishes itself from all those that surround it for some particular characters.
ISLAND \ ˈī-lənd \ is a section that consists in highlighting a series of works by contemporary jewelry artists within the space of the gallery providing them with a special display.
The first artist we present is Francesca Urciuoli.
She defines her works as "small scale armor and at the same time as talismans, or amulets".
We started collaborating with her since the gallery opened in 2013. Today she presents three different researches. The first one concerns her practice of the art of mokume gane that she learnt while studying in San Diego.
Francesca Urciuoli, "Knotted 09", necklace and pendant | Silver, mokume gane silver and red brass, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
Francesca Urciuoli, "Recycled", bracelet | Silver, red brass, copper, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
What is striking in the work of Francesca is the way she approaches this Japanese technique (used in the 17th century to adorn swords): as a matter of fact she uses its ancient alphabet to form new and different phrases.
Francesca Urciuoli, "Cracked", bracelet | Mild steel, fine silver, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
Francesca Urciuoli, "Worn", bracelet | Red brass, copper, nickel, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
The second research is focused on the development of some of her first designs, known as Knots.
Relics of an action, their formal quality lies in gestural abstraction.
Francesca Urciuoli, "Knotted", bracelet | Gold plated silver, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
Francesca Urciuoli, "Knotting 04", earrings | Rose gold plated silver, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
The third study is called Patched and it's created with the 3d technique. Georges Didi-Huberman writes that a patch is an "accident" that "rather than delimiting an object, produces a potentiality". These pieces are twists, drawings, unsettled fragments that weave together not just precious materials but stories too. About our temporary nature, about our attempts and failures to grasp it.
Francesca Urciuoli, "Patched" and "Knotted" rings | Oxidised silver, silver, gold plated silver, photo: Federico Cavicchioli
In the field of contemporary jewelry OHMYBLUE is an island that grows fast as it discovers new lands, new authors, new possibilities.
Take note of its position.
