I was always convinced that it is. Even though there are many galleries in our country that have no room for jewellery. The Milano Gallery was established 30 years ago, when \u201ePolish silver\u201d was at its peak and was available in practically every art gallery. Silver jewellery by Polish artists and designers was also an important part of my offer. A lot has changed since \u201889 \u2013 today, few galleries offer jewellery at all. Yet at mine, it still is and always will be \u2013 especially now that different fields of art intermingle so strongly. A good project, interesting design \u2013 that is art, and since I show contemporary art, contemporary jewellery cannot be missing. By showing good artists and interesting designs, I try to prove that jewellery is art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It varies... I still quite often have to spend a long time persuading people and explaining why it is worth buying artisan jewellery and why this particular design rather than another. I teach my clients how to choose jewellery depending on their outfit, skin tone, hairstyle and even personality. Preferences vary greatly \u2013 from subtle, minimalist forms to avant-garde, large, colourful and eye-catching ones. The latter arouse the most apprehension, but I also know they bring the most satisfaction \u2013 especially when a client gets positive feedback \u201eout on the town\u201d and comes back for more of a given creator's bold designs. Men are the hardest to convince, because they are most afraid of making a faux pas \u2013 so they stick to safe classics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a conscious decision, because I want the jewellery to match the art presented in the gallery interiors. A bit like in foreign museum shops and galleries, where the focus is on the avant-garde and the best, current designs. By design, I avoid classics, and if I do decide on them, they must be at a high, sophisticated level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am in contact with around 50 creators, and have regular, lively collaboration with about 30 of them. This collaboration goes in various ways, because these are difficult times for jewellery artists: competition from chain stores is very high, and there is a huge variety of not always good quality jewellery in online stores, which discourages customers from looking for truly innovative and unique ornaments. It is hard for them to break through, especially since customers often do not know what is truly good and valuable, so they usually decide on a safe purchase \u2013 what is trendy. The effect is that we very often see well-dressed people wearing jewellery that is unsuited \u2013 both to them and to their outfit. A good example of this is celebrities: wearing clothes from leading designers and high-street jewellery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I say what I value designer jewellery for? Because it speaks for me. Much like my outfit, hairstyle, footwear or glasses. I can't imagine dressing well and putting on bland jewellery with it. Everything has to be cohesive. I dress in black, but my earrings have to be large, colourful, well-designed and eye-catching. That's me, jewellery helps create my individuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n