Indonesia is famous with the richness of cultural beauty and resources. But not many acknowledge that Indonesia also have a rich potential on precious and semi-precious stones. In fact, only few already exploring the possibilities to produce jewelry from Indonesia’s gemstones, one of this few people is Irwan Holmes.
According to this American born artist, Indonesia is so rich in natural resources and yet much of it still to be discovered. He also noted that the field of lapidary (stone-cutting) work hardly exists at all in Indonesia. Holmes who focusing his works with Indonesian stonnes is very concerned over this issue. Because, he reasoned, the resources in Indonesia are very abundant but not many people realized this field. “I’ve been exhibit my work to America and Europe, and many collectors surprised that the stones that I’ve use in my work are from Indonesia,” he said.
There are many varieties of stones that Holmes uses in his works. During the exhibition of his works at Prapen Gallery that started on November 27, 2009 through January 14, 2010, Holmes exposed over 1,000 stones and some 300 unique and creative jewelries.
At first glance, some people will think that all this gemstones must be painted because of its beauty. But he assured that they all natural stones. That is also the reason why he chose “Paintings by Angels’ as the theme of his amazing exhibition.
He said there are several stones that incredible because they represent the great of natural power, likes fossilized coral from Sumatra and Java, Rose Agate, the Pancawarna and Chrysacolla. “some of the stone, like fossilized coral and Pancawarna, only exist in Indonesia and are really “Treasures from Indonesia,” he explained.
Holmes who already leaves in Indonesia for 41 years said that for the past five years he has exclusively used Indonesia stones in his design work. He also worked with I Made Kawi, one of the finest silversmiths of Celuk, Gianyar, who use the granulatic technique that called Jawan. Holmes worked with Kawi in producing several jewelries that contain Balinese philosophy.
He stated Balinese should know the many possibilities that lay a head of them in producing combination jewelries between silver, gold with Indonesian stones. Because by realizing the possibilities, it will open many opportunities and creating many jobs to Balinese and Indonesian people.
News by International Bali Post
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