Māris Šustiņš

Jewellery fit for a queen

• Māris creates custom jewellery in gold, silver and titanium
• His jewellery always has a story behind it
• He once created a brooch for Queen Elizabeth II

Jewellery maker Māris Šustiņš once said that he creates jewellery “not for queens, but to make women feel like queens”. However he did actually once get the chance to make a brooch for a real queen! With designs drawn from nature, his exquisite jewellery brings to mind Art Nouveau patterns and forms. At the same time, his creations are made using complex metalworking techniques, mixing the traditional and the innovative. Even though the execution process demands the utmost precision and skill in order to 'tame' different types of metals, the result always feels light and playful, even romantic. Māris also works as a teacher at the Riga School of Design and Art, passing on his knowledge to the younger generation.

Interview

©Māris Šustiņš

©Māris Šustiņš

How is your craft linked to Latvia?

In ancient times, the Baltic tribes decorated themselves. Historians are increasingly gaining evidence that Baltic people had a highly developed culture, including jewellery culture. For a Baltic woman, it was not honorable to be without jewellery; they were always thinking about their appearance.

Do you remember the first piece of jewellery you made?

One of the first pieces I remember was a pair of silver earrings that I gave as a present to a dear friend of mine, who later became my wife, Sintija Šustiņa, a fashion designer. She often helps me with stylistic advice and ideas.

Can you relate a career highpoint?

There have been many, but I still remember the moment when, after my solo show Raining Stars (2016), the First Lady of Latvia commissioned me to create a piece of jewellery for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, which was presented as a gift during the president's visit.

What do you love most about your work?

Probably the emotional contrast between the seriousness of working without stopping and the emotionally charged moment of celebration when you can show your work to the viewer and get back the energy you invested in it.

Māris Šustiņš is a master artisan: he began his career in 1989 and he started teaching in 2007

Works

©Māris Šustiņš

©Māris Šustiņš

©Māris Grīnbergs

©Māris Šustiņš

©Māris Šustiņš

Where