Belgian jewellery artist Jelka Quintelier is based in London, graduated from the Royal College of art in 2013. With the desire to create sculptural art jewellery that is wearable, she makes each piece unique, with its own story.
Jelka started her jewellery career creating laser cut rubber jewellery under the brand ‘Black Lune’ many moons ago. However after bringing that chapter to a natural close, she now is solely focusing on working with precious metals and gemstones.
Her motto however stays the same. ‘Jewellery is more than just adornment’. Jewellery exists in conversation with the body. The most intimate of art forms, it brushes against and sits in conjunction with the body, often in direct contact with the skin. It lives with its wearer as a constant presence through the day, at a significant event, or even for a lifetime.
Inspired by treasure hunting and scavenging, manifested in London by going on regular mudlarking trips. Jelka creates one-of-a-kind, handmade sculptural jewellery pieces embellished with gemstones that are set as if they were randomly found like that. In between the cracks, askew, embedded in the metal, and some are almost hidden.
The designs are reminders of eroded historical treasures, naturally formed, as if they are accidental small landscapes.