Moths are vulnerable and tender creatures. Their wings shiver in the harsh wind, so easily torn and destroyed. They struggle. And yet they hold on to life. They are fragile but they are also strong.
Burning your wings is part of being alive.
Be vulnerable and don’t be scared.

BURNT
COLLECTION

Moths and other flying insects have always been appealing to me. I started working with shapes of wings even before I started making things from silver, and before I knew how to solder metal, when all I could do was weaving copper wire.

Designs from 2014-2017, chronologically

I revisited this theme in 2020, this time willing to focus on lightness of shapes and delicacy of textures. I was willing to explore the unexistingly-thin wing, shivering, carried by winds, vulnerable, world-endigly beautiful.

At about the same time I saw photography works by Mat Collishaw with burning dead butterflies and knew this is what was dwelling in my mind. The fire destroying chitin easier then dry paper… This is when I decided to make vulnerability the philosophy of the collection

Mat Collishaw. Burning Butterflies

Eventually I came to a compromise, and the collection had a couple of designs where wearability was not the priority. But I had a feeling that I could — and should — do more. I regretted that I didn’t give a go to another part of my inspiration that came from observing collages by Seb Janiak and pictures of migrating butterflies. I wanted to go wild, rich and gorgeous.

Collages by Seb Janiak

Photography by Mario Vázquez

Those days I was struggling with letting myself make less wearable and more artsy pieces. I would ask myself silly questions like "Do I deserve to make art?" and also not so silly ones like "Can I afford to waste money on a collection with designs that might be way too bold?"

Seems ridiculous now how scared I was, working on this piece, facing so much inconfidence that was buried inside me (could I dare to make a piece that is, like, art, or is it only for grown-ups ant not little girls like me). Especially now, when I already know with what warmth and admiration it was received.

This is how I came to creating an one of a kind ring half a year after the release of the initial collection, which I thought would be the end of me exploring this theme for quite a while. But in late 2020 I made the jewel of my portfolio of that time — the Burnt. Catharsis ring

I revisited the Burnt series again three years later. In 2023 I made a number of artworks where I aimed to grant myself even more freedom. And finally, I was satisfied.

Artworks that were selected for participation in the VIII Contemporary Goldsmithing and Jewelry Exhibition by Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas of Madrid

I think there will be more contributions to this series over time. Though now I feel both that I expressed what I wanted, and that it was properly praised and acknowledged by my core audience and by the professional society (a very rare luck for an artist), I don’t think it’s the end. After all, I evolve and it’s only natural to have a new vision for an old subject.

Other jewelry from 2023.
Photoshoots by Ekaterina Sidorova and Daria Izbash

$177

Pendant

burnt.