Pearls and diamonds and Art Deco
- Banu handcrafts jewellery pieces with traditional techniques such as filigree
- It was a chance encounter with a Grand Bazaar silversmith that turned her towards craftsmanship
- Her art-deco inspired designs are brought to life with contemporary twists
Banu Kent returned to Istanbul in 2011 after eight years in Amsterdam. Walking through the Grand Bazaar one day, she was inspired by a quartz stone in one of the shops. A reputable silversmith offered to teach her how to make a pendant in his workshop, and Banu's path was set. “I went back the next day and started working on the bench. Days turned into months and I kept going back to that little workshop,” she recounts. In 2012, Banu opened her own atelier and boutique where her art-deco-inspired designs, made with ethically sourced stones from trusted suppliers, are showcased on appointment. “When someone buys a piece of jewellery, it is mostly to remember or celebrate an important event such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary or accomplishment. So, in simple words, I create keepsakes of unforgettable moments of life,” she says.
Interview
- How does the area of Galata where you have your workshop inspire your work?
- Galata is a neighborhood I have always loved, and I cannot find the energy it gives me anywhere else in Istanbul. The culture that has accumulated over the centuries is all around and inspires me, from cobblestone streets to heavily decorated apartment buildings from the early 19th century, to thick stone walls.
- In what way is your craft linked to place?
- Goldsmithing in the Anatolian tradition is historically and culturally significant, with deep roots in both ancient and medieval periods. The region, which encompasses modern-day Turkey, has a rich tradition of goldwork that dates back thousands of years.
- How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?
- Goldsmithing is a delicate balance between preserving traditional techniques and innovating in ways that keep the craft relevant and evolving. I invest a lot of time learning and perfecting traditional techniques, such as hand-forging, soldering, engraving, or filigree work because these methods are about preserving a connection to the past.
- What was the first object you made?
- It was a rough quartz stone pendant. I made many more of the same design afterwards, each one was better than the one before. My first real collection, which I made using silver, was inspired by insects. I was studying them from books and cast them in metal. That was a very avant-garde collection for its time.
Banu Kent is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2012
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Banu Kent
