I always felt a solid technical background
was a good place to
start. From
there I knew my own
creativity would develop
and evolve into my
personal style. To
this end, I studied at Stellenbosch University from
‘70 -‘74 under Dieter
Dill, a German lecturer. After
graduating I spent time
in Dusseldorf studying
under Friedrich Becker. I
have taken part in many
exhibitions in RSA and Europe.
In 1993 I opened a shop
in Hermanus. Here
a wonderful team of
women helps me bring my jewellery to
life.
What
My Work Represents for
Me
Jewellery has
many meanings and can be
worn for a number of
different reasons: to
adorn and enhance the
wearer; to display
status in the community; to
wear as symbols of
belief.
For me it is not only
important for these
social and fashionable
reasons but for the pure
pleasure of wearing
something beautiful.
In the last few years I
have concentrated on
form, colour and
texture and how I could
unite a piece of jewellery not
only with the shape of
the body but also the colouring and
unique personality of
each person.
Each material has its
own precious character:
· shell
and pearls have a
translucent beauty;
· stones
hold energy and have
their own unique colour;
· gold
has a malleability that
enables it to be
hammered and shaped;
· then,
there is the pale,
beautiful lustre of
silver.
I choose materials that
work not only with the
design but with the
nature of each person.
There is a story about a
group of people at a tea
ceremony in Japan. After
the tea had been served
the conversation began
to wane so the host
fetched an object which
was handed around the
group for examination. The
object’s form, shape,
line, colour and
texture were discussed
showing how each part
was important to the
piece. The
discussion held the
focus and interest of
those present as each
person spoke of their
personal connection to
the article, showing how
a single object could
evoke many different
emotions.
That is how I want each
of my pieces to be seen.
Along our life’s walk,
we gather objects,
trinkets and keepsakes
that remind us of
people, places and
special moments. I
started setting objects
and photographs in
materials like resin,
designing extremely
personal pieces that
were a gathering of
someone’s “golden
memories”. And
so the “Life Necklace”
was born, each
one unique and precious
as the person for whom
it was designed.
www.Geta.co.za
finonrus@hermanus.co.za
