Paper’s charm: the jewels of Nel Linssen

The Arti Orafe Art Gallery organized a retrospective dedicated to the Dutch artist Nel Linssen, in which well – know jewels will be show together with more recent pieces. The exhibition will be enriched with photos where the jewels are worn to visualize their relation to the body.

In the research of innovative materials the name of Nel Linssen is already well - established, linked to the use of a special type of cardboard, trough which from 1986 she is creating her charming jewels. The artist’s work is characterized by an empirical approach – solutions are found by direct experimentation: the most suitable paper (after much research Elephantenhaut cardboard was chosen), which often has different colourings to increase the shading effect; the right cuts and folds to achieve the desired shape and guarantee that the structure has solidity. The constructive principle of the necklaces and bracelets is logical – mathematical, and is characterized by a minimalist aesthetic approach aimed to harmonizing the colour, volume and structure. These are perfect continuous shapes, created through the association of modular elements, often circular, threaded and held together by elastic or plastic tubing, although sometimes they may be self – supporting thanks to the cut and fold of the paper. The rigorous monumentality of her jewellery comes alive when it is put on, when the tactile pleasure of the paper comes into play. Her necklaces sit softly on the neck, her bracelets go gracefully around the writs and follow their movement with a sinuous flow, thanks to which the play on colour and chiaroscuro effects in their interaction with the ambient light is rendered still more apparent.

Linssen’s international reputation has been consolidated by numerous solo exhibitions, by the publication of her work in the main books on contemporary jewelry and by the presence of her pieces in public collections all over the world: the Netherlands; Germany, Great Britain; France; Sweden, and then United States, Canada and Australia.