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Valeria Martz

  • 1881
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Address

Victoria, British Columbia
V9B 6K1

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About

I cannot remember a time when I did not have a passion for jewellery. I was always looking for that unique piece to add to my collection, searching and gathering little pieces of art for inspiration and to cherish.
I have also been fascinated with the use of organic materials, in particular horn, in the creation of objects and artifacts since ancient times.
I’ve been able to unify these two passions in my work and explore the interplay between horn and metal. Both are very versatile materials that can be transformed using traditional techniques to create contemporary pieces.

Horn has the unique property of becoming malleable when heat is applied, and it is often referred to as the plastic of the Middle Ages.
All raw horns used in my jewellery are sourced ethically. I believe that using controlled, organic raw materials preserves a long tradition of native artisans that for generations used horn and bone in an ecologically harmonious manner.

I like to play with geometric forms in my designs, searching for equilibrium and perfection. Other days, I go with free form. I love this dance between asymmetry and balance.
Inspiration from Art Deco, mid-century modernist jewellers, and my travels around the world makes my work a bit eclectic. That is how I see life, ever-changing with contradictions and contrasts, never boring or repetitive.

I think of jewellery not only as a personal adornment, but also as an artform. A one-of-a-kind piece can help people express the uniqueness in themselves.
With that intention in mind, I handcraft all my pieces from my studio in the Highlands of Southern Vancouver Island off the West Coast of Canada.

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