Who influenced your path as a jewellery maker?
Erico Nagai, my professor at the Salzburg Academy in 2003, changed my attitude towards jewellery. Before I met her, I was making more decorative pieces. She encouraged me to embrace a versatile style; I made my first series of objects from the inner tyre of a bicycle.
What form or material are you currently exploring?
I focus on the circle as a main component of my jewellery. Initially, I created flat circles, but gradually the circles gained three dimensional volumes. Ten years later, I’m still using circles in various configurations, but I always start from a central cube.
Mihail Novakov © Michelangelo Foundation
Where does your interest in the circle derive from?
I like too many things, that’s why I need a structure. Knowledge of the available elements makes me more focused in my work. Later on, I add chaos and try out different sizes and approaches. It suprises me how different the results are everytime.
What is well-made jewellery?
A piece of jewellery must be well crafted and pleasing to the eye. This adds to it the power of eternity. I admire when artisans use the right material and do it well. A good idea has to be synchronized with the craft, otherwise you can’t achieve a good result.