BIOGRAPHY
Born in Udaipur-India, Vershali Jain is MA in Jewelry and Silversmithing from Edinburgh College of art, Scotland. Selected to show her Graduation Collection at New Designers (London), Marzee graduate show (Netherlands) and Talente - Schmuck (Munich) her work exhibits the unconventional approach to materials, vibrant colors and playfulness.
Through her art, Jain channels the dual identity she developed by living and traveling abroad while following her Indian cultural heritage. Drawing on her deep interest in the Indian motifs and connecting it to her ever-changing surroundings, she explores layered relationships in her enameled jewelry. In her work wires and thin strips of sheet are wrapped and coiled into voluminous linear forms. Hot process liquid enamel binds metal elements together as a structural element as well as color point to create a vibrant textural piece.
She moved to US in 2013 and after receiving her work permit in 2016, she has presented her work through various American craft shows and jewelry exhibitions across the country. Her work 'Bandhej' was also presented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY as a part of 'MET Fridays - Celebrate India' event.
Vershali currently works from her jewelry studio in Palo Alto, California.
ARTIST STATEMENT
By painting with enamels and sketching through wire, I try to create playful yet delicate compositions. I love to represent Indian motifs and imagery in a unique way, rendering a fresh perspective to Indian Jewelry. Colors are an important element in my work and using vitreous enamels is the center of my practice. It’s the joy of making; making something new, fresh and stretching the boundaries of what jewelry is and how it should be made, that motivates me.
My current work is designed around the narrative of Japanese term NATSUKASHII; bitter sweet remembrances. Here I used elements of my fond memories and mold them into sculptural Jewelry pieces. These pieces are the window to my past experiences and my cultural identity. The back of the brooches is in contrast to the front, representing the two worlds immigrant artists constantly come to face with. My designs are intersection of these contrasting experiences.
The collection includes brooches, necklaces, earrings and rings. All individually designed and detailed. The materials mainly used are silver, copper, steel and vitreous enamel. Inspired by the miniature art of India, my work also has lot of fine details, patterns and colors bundled in a compact wearable jewelry piece.