Journey of a bejewelled soul
- Rita's jewellery pieces are always tied to personal memories
- She brings her visions to life through experimentation and research
- She uses unconventional materials like resins, stone, wood and clay
Rita Martínez creates jewellery with a wide range of materials and techniques borrowed from other crafts, such as sculpture and painting. Initially, she was trained as a historian in her native Costa Rica. After moving to Italy for further studies and research, she came across the work of artist Eugenia Ingegno, whose approach to jewellery left Rita spellbound and inspired her to venture into artistic jewellery making. She opened her shared studio in Verona in 2017. Since then, she has been experimenting with different shapes and techniques. She uses mixed materials that she then translates into artistic and wearable pieces, where her feelings, emotions and experiences come to life. "My creations are the result of a personal and inner journey, where I aim to express myself and establish a physical connection with the client and wearer," Rita says.
Interview
- What does your making process look like?
- I employ different techniques. Besides traditional jewellery making techniques, I borrow some from sculpture and painting. I like to challenge myself and I draw inspiration from the Italian and Costa Rican cultures. In my pieces, I use unconventional materials such as wood, resin, clay or stone.
- How do you balance innovation and tradition?
- My work combines my personal vision with research and experimentation. I am curious by nature, and my background as a historian pushes me to understand what is behind a technique and how I can employ it to make a difference by giving an identity to what I make.
- Is it difficult to work on your own?
- I work over ten hours a day. I am busy, but all my efforts are rewarded. I find solace in solitude and creative research. I still feel butterflies in my stomach when I realise that a piece of jewellery is born, and I get even more excited when the result is different than what I expected.
- What was the first piece you made?
- It was a bracelet in honour of Verona, the city that has adopted me and that I now call home. In my pieces, there is always a thread tied to something I am attached to, reminding me of feelings and experiences. Bella Verona became a collection to celebrate this connection.
Rita Martínez is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2011
Where
Rita Martínez
