Minimalist nature in silver
- Josefa designs jewellery that reflects the identity and traditions of Galicia
- Renowned jeweller Antonio Ibáñez is her mentor and inspiration
- She creates pieces that celebrate handcrafted jewellery techniques
Josefa Castro met the founders of Noroeste Obradoiro, the Spanish master Antonio Ibáñez and his wife Marian Diéguez, when she was 16. She chose this profession, she says, because of her early fascination with one of Antonio's works. Josefa studied jewellery making at the Ontario School of Arts in Toronto and the Massana School in Barcelona. On her return to Santiago de Compostela, at the age of 26, Josefa began to exhibit her work in Noroeste and soon became a member of the studio. After Marian's death and Antonio's retirement, Josefa took up the baton from her mentors and continued to honour their legacy. She now owns and runs the atelier in Santiago, where she creates jewellery linked to Galicia's cultural identity and nature. Antonio, who still visits her workshop regularly, remains a reference point for her.
INTERVIEW
Galicia has a great tradition of craftsmanship. Its Atlantic character and cultural identity inevitably influence my contemporary designs. The extreme nature of the land I live in is constantly reflected in my work.
One of my primary skills lies in my ability to capture the essence of natural forms through an abstract approach to metal materials. The use of traditional techniques that are becoming more and more obsolete is also a distinctive feature of my work.
Antonio Ibáñez has been and continues to be a permanent reference for me. Thanks to him and his wife, Marian Diéguez, this profession has become an integral part of my life. Nature in all its forms, movements, and rhythms is also a significant source of inspiration.
I strive for maximum simplification while preserving the enduring values that express tradition and innovation in all my work. With a contemporary perspective, I seek what has been sought since the dawn of mankind.
