Neža Žehelj’s pieces interpret lost and found stories conceptually plugged into released jewellery collections and one of a kind wearable pieces of art.
Marble & Metal
Slovenian Jewellery week
Ljubljana
Many things influence how we feel – colours, weather, shapes, smells, materials ... and we think about all these factors when deciding what we like and don't like. Jewellery is no exception.
It comes in different shapes, sizes and colours, it is made using different techniques and materials, and each piece has specific characteristics. Marble is a rather unexpected material for making jewellery. It represents something cool and sophisticated, but on the other hand durable, strong and classic. Marble represents the finest form of stone. Jože Plečnik (the world-famous Slovene architect) was also fascinated by it. Much of his oeuvre is in stone. His architecture is renowned for being timeless, innovative and at the same time supremely classical.
Its distinctive forms continue to inspire artists of all kinds today. Jewellery designer Neža Žehelj also drew inspiration from Plečnik's architecture for her marble jewellery collection. She says: "I have also taken inspiration from the material that you feel through its shape or touch – I have always been captivated by the grandeur, smoothness and a kind of unearthly shine of worked marble. In churches and staircases, stone columns, statues or other marble details always call me to admire and touch. I am fascinated by how a mighty mass of raw marble can become something so refined, smooth and perceptive."