Quentin Jones has teamed up with Ryenn’s Eyes once again – this time, on a strikingly artistic jewellery collection, as she reveals in some exclusive musings
Us and Ms Jones? We got a thing. Going on. The bold, irrepressibly imaginative work of the artist, filmmaker, and photographer caught Ryenn’s eye some time ago. It demands attention. Her mixed-media creations are impossible to box in. Or pin down. They cross creative boundaries, lingering in the mind long after exposure. That’s why we reached out to Quentin to collaborate with us on the creation of original artwork for one of our debut collections last year. But we weren’t finished with Quentin just yet. There was more to say. Our dialogue was still in progress.
Now, Ryenn’s Eyes and Quentin Jones have joined forces on something exciting. Not borrowed, but new. And this time, it’s wearable. Our latest jewellery collection. Seven pieces. A mixture of metals, with each material chosen to match the intention of wear. Designed by Quentin. Infused with her ideas, her aesthetic, her vision. And crafted by Ryenn’s Eyes.
Sparking inspiration.
“At the beginning of the process, I was looking at the point where sculpture meets jewellery – especially things that felt organic. Things that could have been moulded by somebody’s hand. That said, I didn't set out with specific aims. I more was curious about what sorts of forms spoke to me. What’s more, the references that inspired me – from sculpture to paintings to antique jewellery– were all very fluid, organic forms. It was almost as though they lived somewhere in-between. Abstract, yet also alive.”
“Working with the team at Ryenn’s Eyes has been so free and fluid from the start. They were so open to my ideas. Equally, they guided me on what works. And what might be less successful. What surprised me was how they could take one initial design for, say, earrings, and translate it into a brand-new design. Being shown new iterations of my designs was really cool, because it allowed to edit my ideas further – and for us to land on pieces that felt like true collaborations.”
Designs on a journey.“I found it very interesting to think about how physics plays such a big role in jewellery design. How factors such as gravity and weight, balanced with the pressure point where an earring will sit on the ear, will influence the ultimate look of how the piece will hang. Also, as someone who hates uncomfortable jewellery, the first iteration of some designs resulted in jewellery that was too heavy or bulky for my tastes. So. There was quite a bit of refining involved. That said, I actually loved those early stages of the process. It made it even more satisfying when we arrived at the final, perfect piece.”
Exploring mediums.
“It’s been so different to making film, illustration or artwork. Even though a lot of my work is tactile, thinking about something worn on the body is a very different balance. Something that needs to shine. Rather than just looking cool… However, I what is recognisable between the collection and my other creative work is that pieces tap-dance between being a bit weird, but also – I think – being really beautiful. Beautiful in how unusual they are, rather than how polished they are. That speaks to me.”
Natural selection.
“Did I have someone in mind for this collection? Well, myself... Friends who share my sensibility. Really, anyone who likes to be expressive with how they dress. The final selection was so hard! We had fallen in love with everything we were developing. It was so difficult to know what should make the final cut. Also, it was unexpected to see how the same design can feel entirely different when cast in silver or gold.”
Picky, picky.
“Do I have to choose just one favourite?! I would say probably the gold chain necklace. And the silver pearl ring. For me, the gold pieces would be for every day. I would wear the larger silver designs for parties, or on vacation at nighttime.”
“The art direction was obviously more in my wheelhouse. It felt very easy. I knew I wanted it to have a very simple approach and let the jewellery speak for itself. But also to create a series of paintings that feel like a pattern coming to life. Growing eyes, bubbles… The finished designs are almost lifelike, almost abstract. That’s the essence of the collection.”
On reflection.“The proof [of success] is in the reception. If people love to wear the designs. I can’t wait to see people wearing it. See it living as something outside my studio. I fell in love with the process of creation – so much so that it has sparked a few new ideas for personal projects I want to start on next…”