In conjunction with her CCBC gallery show, we asked artist Viyan Petekkaya
to share with us a bit about herself, her inspiration and her audience.
Exhibition will be on view in our gallery from jan 4 – jan 18, 2024.
artist bio
I am Viyan, a Kurdish jewellery designer based in Vancouver, BC. Before I started my goldsmithing journey at the Jewellery Art and Design program at Vancouver Community College, I earned a Bachelor of International Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Graphic Design Associate Certificate from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Perhaps partially due to my background in social sciences, I like to challenge the notion of a singular, universal truth. It is imperative to be aware of historical, cultural, and contextual biases while we build our relationship with the world around us. This awareness often involves navigating paradoxes and acknowledging the validity of conflicting perspectives. There is an allure to exploring these nuanced territories. That is why “tension” is a recurring theme in my designs. Often abstract and non-representational, my work invites the viewer/wearer to explore the chaotic nature of their relationship with themselves and their surroundings.
“Metal has its own language. To work with metal, you need to learn how to communicate with it.”
inspiration
My journey into the realm of art has unfolded rather gradually. Ever since I was a kid, I chased after things that were different. I felt an aversion towards what was trendy as trends lacked individuality. That search for authenticity was (and still is) what fueled my creativity the most.
My earlier explorations of art were often in the form of words. What started as a poetry notebook in elementary school continued in the form of creative writing in high school, where I was heavily involved in the school’s literary magazines. I am a visual person, so it is no surprise that my writings were full of metaphors and imagery. Literature and Philosophy often fed my imagination. My curiosity and passion for photography were born in my teenage years as well. As I grew more and more into who I am, I decided that I wanted to become a jewellery designer, and thus began my goldsmithing journey.
I’ve been training as a goldsmith for only a year and a half now, and I never felt so in tune with myself before. I love working with my hands – touching the material that you work with is quite an intimate experience. Metal has its own language. To work with metal, you need to learn how to communicate with it. Communication happens via touch, observation and listening. All your senses need to be active. Metal has its boundaries, and as long as you respect these boundaries, it will open itself up to you. It will let you shape it, change it, re-create it. Metal is forgiving, as long as you are humble enough to ask for forgiveness. Metal is strong; it makes you stronger, too. What was once words has now found form in metal. Through my jewellery designs, I delve into abstract concepts, exploring the complexities of individual identities, intricacies of the human psyche, and the multifaceted nature of relationships, among other themes.
audience
Where there is connection, there is tension. “Chiaroscuro” is an introspective exploration of this duality present in all forms of relationships, from the one between our inner and outer selves to the one we have with our surroundings. The undulating shapes of the pieces introduced in this collection are inspired by contemporary ballet. The dancers’ movements are translated into the form of jewellery to enhance the wearer’s body language and communicate their deepest emotions. The sinuous outlines bring a sensual touch to each piece while also echoing the vigour of the hammer blows that formed them. Within each curve and each crevice, the wearer discovers the traces of vulnerability but also strength. They sense pain but also endurance. While the dark patina takes the wearer on a journey along the heft of their existence, the bright contrasting surfaces and a subtle touch of pearls offer them a light caress, a gentle reminder that they have the power to build their own essence.