Sandra Deiana

Medal and coin maker

©Simone Tibollo

Strong messages in tiny packages

Sandra's creativity is driven by curiosity
Her coins and medals have a strong identity
She makes use of ancient and modern techniques

Sandra Deiana was born in Cagliari, Italy, in 1990. Even as a child, she revealed an artistic aptitude and remembers being entranced by her grandmother's handicrafts – such as Sardinian basket weaving. She grew up surrounded by a wide range of ancient Sardinian crafts. "Working with the hands is an intrinsic part of the Sardinian population, which led me to develop this kind of sensitivity.” Today, she has mastered the art of coin and medal making, from sketching out the design to making the plaster model, she combines traditional and ancient techniques with current realities. “I find it really magical that the sculpture in bas-relief can give the observer an incredible plasticity in a few millimetres of relief, as in the case of the coin; this has always fascinated me.”

Interview

©Simone Tibollo

What aspects of your work do you love the most?: I like working with clients from all over the world, collaborating with them step-by-step throughout the process. I find it essential for my work and very rewarding to continuously study the different cultures and discover the different elements that characterise the identity of a people.
What is one of the biggest difficulties in your work?: My job is to develop a design through a theme – to make sure everything I want to express is perceived even within such a small circle, in metal, without the aid of colours. This is why I try to summarise symbolism and realism, perceived immediately, in my drawings.
How important to you is sharing with different craftspeople?: Collaboration and continuous exchange between craftspeople is one of the most important aspects in my work. It expands my knowledge beyond my craft, to explore new forms, open my mind to new realities, discover new techniques and introduces me to great artists internationally.
How does your work combine tradition and innovation?: I am always looking for new techniques. Currently I am exploring the use of 3D software and new machinery which potentially will help to speed up the process without losing quality – as long as I use it carefully and with restraint. I do not want to forget the traditional method of hand modelling.

Sandra Deiana is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2015