Silver in all its forms
- Juan is inspired by museums and colonial art
- He seeks to materialise his imagination through his creations
- He preserves techniques and traditions by making traditional Chilean jewellery pieces
Juan Lobos Palma was born into a modest family that never had a direct relationship with craftsmanship. His interest in silversmithing and goldsmithing arose after completing his secondary education. "That is when I met a student from the now-defunct National School of Artisans," says Juan. "During the two years I was there, I completed a demanding programme aimed at training highly specialised artisans." After obtaining the master goldsmith title, and being the best in his class, Juan joined the workshop Platería Inglesa. "In 1996, I bought the workshop and immediately changed its name to Platería Chilena, in line with the traditional character of my pieces. Jewellery has become my livelihood," he says. To younger individuals, Juan recommends working with perseverance and honesty: "Be the first quality control of your own work."
INTERVIEW
Through my contact with urban artisans, I adopted the informal marketing method they used at the time, the so-called pañeo. I would display silver rings I made on a cloth in the streets of downtown Santiago de Chile, especially on Paseo Ahumada.
The Chilean Senate asked me to create a silver chalice that would be presented as an offering at the Vatican's holy mass, where we would have the first Chilean saint: San Alberto Hurtado. This happened on October 23, 2005.
What I do is traditional silversmithing, and of all the techniques I work with, the one that makes me happiest is chiselling. I often preserve techniques and traditions through my creations. I enjoy materialising my imagination.
Another line of work for me is the creation of indigenous goldsmithing. In fact, in 2009, I received the Seal of Excellence in Crafts with a personal variation of some chaway, Mapuche earrings.
Juan Humberto Lobos Palma
Silversmith
La Reina, Chile
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+56 962269653
LANGUAGES
Spanish
