Silver things of beauty
- Annick works with heavy tools to create delicate, finely crafted pieces
- Her silver creations are full of poetry
- She likes to imagine her works as archaeological finds
Annick Tapernoux seeks to create lasting silver creations, inspired by John Keats' poem, A Thing of Beauty. “Beauty elevates our soul and offers us an inexhaustible source of eternity,” she explains. Her journey with silversmithing began unexpectedly in Munich, where she had originally travelled to study gemmology. There, Annick was introduced to a school specialising in silver and goldsmithing. “I was immediately captivated by the craft,” she says. Following this discovery, Annick refined her skills through studies in Antwerp and London. Today, she draws deep inspiration from nature, spirituality and archaeology. “I like to imagine that my works come from archaeological digs, that they already had a life before they revealed themselves to me,” Annick explains.
Interview
- What does your creative approach look like?
- I work intuitively and spontaneously. I first choose a theme or a feeling that I want to convey. Then, I make a few sketches and start working with a silver disc. The shape evolves as I go along.
- Do you work with any specific techniques?
- I sculpt a sheet of metal with the deep drawing technique. Several times during this process, I heat the metal to a high temperature to restore its malleability. To finish the piece, I use the planishing technique.
- What tends to surprise people about silversmithing?
- People are often surprised by the heavy tools I use to create delicate, finely crafted pieces full of poetry. They also frequently think my creations are made of mother-of-pearl or porcelain.
- Which aspects of your work are the most challenging?
- I love the making process, and the idea of touching people's hearts with my pieces and filling them with wonder. I do find the commercial and communications aspect of my practice to be more challenging than the creation process.
Annick Tapernoux is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1998
Where
Annick Tapernoux
