STOCKISTS:
APOC STORE
ALTA STORE (London)
GILL WING JEWELLERY (London)
FILIA STORE (Mexico City)
EXHIBITIONS:
LONDON CRAFT WEEK 8-21.5.2023
NEW DESIGNERS July 2023
LONDON FASHION WEEK (x MadbyMad) March 2023
Martina Kocianova, a London-based jewellery artist, creates whimsical and magical pieces inspired by mushrooms. She designs and crafts each piece personally at the Sarabande Foundation. Martina's inspiration originates from her mushroom foraging experiences with her mother in Slovakia, which she transforms into vibrant and conceptual jewellery designs. Her colorful and shroomy style developed during her studies at Central Saint Martins.
Meticulous attention to detail is a fundamental aspect of Martina's work. She discovered hand engraving during her time at Castro Smith and has since integrated it into her creations. Her passion for stone carving was nurtored through mentorship from Charlotte De Syllas and further developed with the gift of a vintage lapidary machine from a friend. Martina skillfully employs techniques like cold enamel and stone setting to convey her psychedelic and colorful language in her pieces.
Her childhood fascination with mycology, the study of mushrooms, has deepened through interactions with mycologists in Slovakia. She also cultivates mushroom mycelium and incorporates it into her jewellery designs, often redefining the visuals and properties associated with mushrooms in her conceptual projects.
Martina's jewellery, featuring a visual language centered around mushrooms and her commitment to high craftsmanship, has received support from the Swarovski Foundation and earned her the Cockpit's Designer of the Year award. After graduating, she received backing from the Goldsmiths' Centre and pursued additional studies in Japanese traditional jewellery techniques at the Aokin school in Japan. During this transformative period, she explored various techniques, such as raising, Japanese chisel engraving, and inlay.
It was during this transformative journey that Martina recognized her deep-seated need for self-expression through her own jewellery practice. Combining inspiration from her childhood, a passion for craftsmanship, and an exploration of innovative techniques, Martina embarked on her quest to establish her unique jewellery vision.
