Nelle Brackeva. PXL-MAD School of Arts. New Talents Award Nominee 2023

Article / NewTalentsByKlimt02 Artists

Published: 02.08.2023

Nelle Brackeva

Author:: PXL-MAD School of Arts

Edited by:: Klimt02

Edited at:: Barcelona

Edited on:: 2023

The 9th edition of the New Talents Award by Klimt02 aims to recognize the work of graduate students in our field by supporting their careers in the professional world. Nominated by our school members, one of the selected graduates will win the New Talents Award.

Nelle developed several impressive collections based on this idea, using a wide range of different materials, sizes and colours. The results are playfull, yet intriguing jewellery pieces.

Name of graduation student: Nelle Brackeva
Name of guiding teachers: Anneleen Swillen, Nedda El-Asmar, David Huycke, Maria Konschake, Lore Langendries, Audi Pauwels, Kitty Spaenjers, Ellen Vrijsen and Karen Wuytens.

Nominated by PXL-MAD School of Arts.

Inspired by the movement of the marionette puppet, Nelle Brackeva saw interesting parallels with the action of picking up a necklace from the table and putting it around the neck. In her work, Nelle transforms a flat composition of little spheres into a three-dimensional piece of jewellery. Nelle developed several impressive collections based on this idea, using a wide range of different materials, sizes and colours. The results are playful, yet intriguing jewellery pieces. The necklaces are built up from cylinders, referencing the traditional pearl necklace. When in rest they form witty graphics such as a present box or a flower. Picked up they unravel and change into an abstract and wearable necklace.
/ Prof. David Huycke

Statement of the artist:
Putting on a piece of jewellery is a daily ritual for many. When we get ready in the morning to get to work, this moment of meticulously choosing and putting on jewellery breaks the rush of our everyday lives. Selecting, carefully picking up and placing a piece of jewellery on our body is done conscientiously and with the necessary attention because a piece of jewellery can be of great importance to us. From whom we got the jewellery, the material from which the jewellery piece is made, the fragility of the piece… all have an influence on the way we interact with our jewellery.

In my master's project, I designed jewellery that emphasizes the act of putting on and taking off a piece of jewellery, to make you reflect on the value a piece of jewellery can have.

I chose to design jewellery that, both worn and unworn, portrays a message. This idea was inspired by the movement of a marionette doll which can be pulled up by a puppeteer into a lively figure and transformed back into a tangle of cords and pieces of wood when stored. Starting from this idea I designed a playful series of five plexiglass necklaces which can be shaped into a playful form after wearing it.

The figures the jewellery form when stored, are all symbols for different symbolic values which can be conveyed by a piece of jewellery: a present, rosary, poppy, crown and a medal. By letting the wearer thoughtfully create the figure while storing the necklace away, I make the wearer reflect on the value and meaning the piece of jewellery has for them.

To easily transform these figures into a wearable necklace, I developed a system which creates a playful and surprising movement when you interact with it.

This resulted in the following series of rings, bracelets and necklaces in which the system was preserved, but the literal form language was omitted. The material I chose has symbolic values which are often attributed to stones and metals, for example, the possibility of protecting someone against diseases or the way materials were used to communicate status, power, or religious belief. I linked these symbolic values with the materials coral, lapis lazuli and pearls. My chosen materials in combination with the system produces a fragile and delicate jewellery piece to interact with, thus making us reflect on the total value of the piece.

With this project, I want to emphasize a very beautiful characteristic of jewellery, the possibility to carry something very meaningful close to you in a personal and intimate manner.

Contact:
Email: nellebrackeva@hotmail.com
Instagram: @nellebrackevajewelry

Find out more about courses at PXL-MAD School of Arts

Nelle Brackeva
Necklace: Do you believe, 2023
Plexiglas
83 x 1,6 x 1,1 cm
Photo by: Stefanie Debakker
From series: Gepakt
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 300 €

Nelle Brackeva
Necklace: A gift to you, 2023
Plexiglas
143 x 1,8 x 1,4 cm
From series: Gepakt
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 300 €

Nelle Brackeva
Necklace: How remarkable, 2023
Plexiglas
63,6 x 1,8 x 1,4 cm
Photo by: Stefanie Debakker
From series: Gepakt
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 300 €

Nelle Brackeva
Necklace: Enfold necklace pearl, 2023
Pearls, stainless steel, silver
42 cm x 1,2 x 0,45 cm
Photo by: Willemien Bruwer
From series: Gehecht
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 1200 €

Nelle Brackeva
Ring: Enclose ring Coral, 2023
Coral, plexiglas, silver
3,5 x 3,5 x 1 cm
Photo by: Willemien Bruwer
From series: Gehecht
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 250 €

Nelle Brackeva
Ring: Enclose ring Lapis, 2023
Lapis lazuli, plexiglas, Silver
3,5 x 3,5 x 1 cm
Photo by: Willemien Bruwer
From series: Gehecht
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 250 €

Nelle Brackeva
Necklace: Enfold necklace Lapis Lazuli, 2023
Lapis Lazuli, stainless steel, gold coated silver
42 x 1 x 0,44 cm
Photo by: Willemien Bruwer
From series: Gehecht
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Estimated price: 1400 €