Joy. That’s the word that best describes the feeling that came over me when I discovered that contemporary jeweller Jean-François Pereña was once again going to be exhibiting his work in Paris. Born in Madrid in 1946, the man – as discreet as he is inventive – has never stopped finding the most unusual and exciting materials to create jewellery that is a cabinet of curiosities. From 7 November to 21 December, the Meubles et Lumières gallery will be showcasing the imagination of this prolific designer. And we’re all delighted.
1-Jean-François Pereña, sculptor and jeweller
Trained in sculpture and painting at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva, Jean-François Pereña became a jewellery artist, sculptor and painter. Between 1971 and 1987, he lived and worked in Geneva, regularly exhibiting his work. Then, at the end of the 80s, he chose France and the Drôme provençale. He set down his tools in Rochebaudin, a charming little village a few kilometres from Dieulefit.
His works are as singular as they are striking. A lover of materials, he collects and conserves as many as nature has to offer. His workshop is a veritable cabinet of curiosities where he collects memories and inspirations, transcribing in his geometric, almost enigmatic jewels a life dedicated to creation. If you know and love Liv Blåvarp‘s work, and Pereña’s is a new discovery, you won’t be disappointed.
His first creations date back to the 1970s, when he began making small pocket-sized objects that fit in the palm of your hand. Always in search of sensation, he works as much on the cohesion as the contrast of materials. In fact, the search for sensation and its expression is the common thread running through his approach. The secret pocket object, sometimes known only to the wearer, becomes a tool for exploring his own sensations and fantasies. And leather, already present in this first work, was to become his favourite material. When he met Robert Friedrich, a master leatherworker, the possibilities became infinite.
2- A major exhibition at the MAH in Geneva
In 2006, archaeologist Yvette Mottier donated her jewellery collection to the Geneva Museum of Art and History. Passionate about prehistory and jewellery, and curator of archaeological collections, she fell in love with the work of the creator and, between 1981 and 2006, built up a corpus of over 80 pieces. A few years later, thanks to her donation, the MAH presented a retrospective of Jean-François Pereña’s work.
This exhibition showcases the talent of this designer, and highlights the appeal of materials in jewellery design. Here, jewellery becomes adornment in the spectacular sense of the term. With Pereña, jewellery is neither small nor discreet. On the contrary, it imposes itself and takes centre stage. As an eye-catcher, an opener for discussion, jewellery here is intended to be an integral part of the human body, both dressing it and constraining it.
With his creations, the designer influences the observer. His treatment of the material alters it sufficiently to cast doubt on its original nature. Is it stone? Is it wood? The answer to this essential question can only be found by touching it, which will answer your curiosity about these pieces of jewellery that are as astonishing as they are fascinating.
See you soon!
