Margo Nelissen interviewed by Klimt02

Do you think that jewellery is being standardized? What is there of local and universal in your artistic work?
You could consider the ordinary jewellery being standardized, since you can buy branded jewels from all over the world worldwide online. But contemporary art jewellery is far from being standardized. Jewellery designers find out different ways of using different and new materials for jewels all the time. But there is an increasing influencing going on through internet. As for me, each collection has a different starting point. Sometimes it’s historic, sometimes personal, sometimes it is something in my environment that strikes me. Since my stay in the Caribbean from 2010 to 2013, my interest shifted to nature. The amazing Caribbean underwater world and tropical plants and seeds led to a whole new visual language in my jewelry. Coral patterns and the delicacy and the decay in nature have become my motives in the designs. When I came back to the Netherlands I discovered I was not the only one to be engaged in ‘nature’ as a theme. It seems to me that on the whole ‘nature’ is a bigger theme now, than for example in the eighties and nineties.


What do you expect when exposing your work to the public (for example with an exhibition)?
What I like about exhibitions is to hear the reactions of the public directly. Also I like to discus what people experience in a piece. Sometimes it is something totally different than my own starting point. I find that interesting. And obviously it is most rewarding when someone buys my work and wears it.


Are other areas besides the jewellery, present in your work?
I am also an anthropologist and this particularly shows in the first collections after my graduation. There is some African influence and references to amulets and magical symbols in my work.



Margo Nelissen, Necklace, Amulet 8, Silver, raw amethyst


The last work, book, film, city that has moved me was...
Arthur Japin De overgave, beautifully written, about the clash between Comanche Indians and pioneers. From this writer I also liked very much De zwarte met het witte hart (the two hearts of kwasi boachi).
Recently I visited a new museum Voorlinden in the Netherlands which made me very happy.
Movies I saw lately: I, Daniel Blake very impressive and rather depressive. More optimistic: Captain Fantastic and Down to Earth about how we could live in a totally different manner on this planet.


A place, space, country whose creativity surprises me...
Iceland, Greenland and Faeröer Islands. Beautiful art, craft and design comes from this region.


Is there any designer, jeweller, artist, you appreciate a lot?
Terhi Tolvanen, Evert Nijland, Ruudt Peters, Tanel Veerne, Carla Nuis... Just to name a few. But there are so many more talented jewellery designers I admire.


What piece or work has given you the most satisfaction?
A piece that requires a lot of work, struggle and rethinking before it is completely right, is in the end a big reward for all the feelings of insecurity and hopelessness that involved the process.


Do you read Jewellery Magazines? What is your source to get information?
From time to time I buy magazines, for instance Art Aurea, Kunsthandwerk & design, Current Obsession or Metalsmith. Apart from this, the internet and mainly Facebook is a source of information for me.


Do you discuss your work with other jewellery artists or any other person?
Rarely and it is a pity. Everyone works in his own studio. Sometimes we discus our métier at an exhibition opening.


What is your first thought when you hear the word Future?, What do you expect for? 
New technologies. And the second thought is: revival and revaluation of traditional crafts and techniques. I think that they go together perfectly.