ESCULPTAis an ongoing project focused on promoting
select works art that are created in limited quantities by
free spirited artists and artisans that define their own aesthetic
views and principles. These creators intend to stay independent
and free from creating designs for mass production and to
develop their work imaginatively and creatively. Items are
available to order worldwide through our online gallery of
2 entities (forms and manjoolz) or at a number of our associates.
Meet
Nikias!
Nikias was born in 1978 and is a fourth generation silver-smith.
He was born in England and has a British education with a BSc
in Management from the University of London. He designed his
first piece of jewelry when he was 12 years old in his uncle's
work-shop. Since 1999 he has been a jewelery retailer and micro-sculptor.
His work has participated in a number of trade exhibitions,
art exhibitions and fashion shows in Greece and Cyprus. His
next next large project is a collaboration with fashion designers
and the development of a range of sensual and erotic accessories.
"Some of my fondest and most vivid childhood memories are of
summers spent in Greece under the strong island sun and amidst
ancient ruins and olive groves. The impression that enchanted
me the most and were forever imprinted in my mind from this
scenery was light everywhere and the effect of light upon form.
The solid and fluid ancient monumental and sculptural imagery
as well as the games played by the blessed mediterranean sunlight
have acted to me as forms for endless inspiration for jewelry
and sculpture".
My passion for jewelry is found in the primal and instinct that
man uses to discover himself spiritually and express himself
upon his most precious physical asset - his body. They say that
in the inventing of the wheel (the major turning point for human
evolution) the object was intended as a necklace long before
it was used as a tool. It is evident that the inner need for
expression and playfulness with jewelry is as ancient and as
human culture itself. It is fair to say that our relationship
with jewelry goes deeper than meets the eye as in other consumer
needs. All cultures throughout humanity have indulged in this
repetitive spiritual ritual - It is almost as if decoratng ones
body helps to feed ones soul or to express deep inner passions
or desires that are common throughout the mankind. I find this
fascinating and I enjoy working hard taking on the challenge
portrayed by these concepts. Another concept that is compelling
is the commonly heard metaphysical approach, it is believed
that jewelry made from some metals and particularly silver can
be 'energy charged' to become 'capsules' of their owners wearers
individual's energy.
I love the natural aging of silver that occurs by its natural
oxidating properties. This is why I believe that silver becomes
more beautiful over time. I see it as a form of clay which needs
to be worked and disciplined before it 'rewards' you from its
form's consistency. And that feeling of reward when an item
has been created is truly sensational!
I believe that our fast pace of life and the progress of technology
have created an imbalance that has forced us to neglect our
relationship with our primal nature. Instead of accepting the
seriousness, pace and stress of modern life, perhaps we can
chose to retain our playfulness and focus more on our real needs...
the feeding our senses, and the celebration of our primal desires!