Xwejni u Bnadi Ohra (Xwejni and Other Whereabouts) is a contemporary fine jewellery exhibition by jewellery designer/maker Nadège Renée Cassar.
In the second solo jewellery exhibition, Nadège explores natural and tactile forms. The protagonist, Xwejni Salt Pan Jewellery Collection, takes direct inspiration from the traditional Maltese and Gozitan salt-harvesting trade from rock-cut pans. Xwejni is a location in the island of Gozo. Its salt-collection formations go back 350 years. In ancient times, the collection of salt was highly valued and just like precious metals and stones commonly used for the manufacturing of jewellery, salt was also used as currency. In Gozo, the process of making artisan salt through evaporation goes back to Phoenician and Roman times.
Through materials and techniques, the Xwejni Collection romantically represents constituents and processes of this salt formation. The sun is represented by the fiery Carnelian Agates, the fluid silver parts with traditional Maltese filigree represent the Mediterranean waves whilst the Labradorites carry the colour of the sea. The Chalcedony, Opals, Apophyllite and Tourmalinated Quartz represent the drying of the salt crystals, whilst the pans, which are made from rough silver vessels, host raw sea salt enclosed in resin within these wearable structures. This collection presents a larger neckpiece and two smaller neckpieces, a bangle, a ring, a set of earrings and a bolo tie, all of which are exclusive one-off designs.
The Xwejni Collection was awarded 2nd prize at the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2022.
Through the 'Bnadi Ohra' (the other whereabouts) the exhibition also presents other works and collections that explore the beauty of monochromatic semi-precious stones, which patterns, lustres or markings are complemented with applied textural interventions on silver, against polished, rough or patinated surfaces. Nadège enjoys discovering, and working with unusual stones that are not necessarily perceived as being precious, or commonly sought due to their popularity. But she chooses to work with such due to the intrinsic beauty of their patterns, markings or formations, such as the Snowflake Obsidian. This is a natural volcanic glass with interesting and complex crystal formations of Cristobalite, a silica mineral that has partially crystallized with the Obsidian. Or the Bronzite mineral, which produces a metallic shimmer when weathered or polished. Orthoceras fossils are also a material that has caught this silversmith's eye. Meaning "straight horn", Orthoceras are extinct squid-like mollusks from the Ordovician period, about 450 million years ago. Net Jaspers, Hematites, Lava and Hematitites are also amongst the materials that adorn and complement the artistic jewellery creations of Nadège.
All the pieces are completely hand-fabricated, exclusive one-offs or of a limited-edition nature, as indicated.
Nadège has been designing and hand-fabricating artistic contemporary jewellery for the past 18 years. Mostly specializing in bespoke designs for her clients, she still enjoys creating conceptual pieces that narrate a story, jewellery that is not only meant to adorn the body. Nadège has been presented with several awards within the local artisan sector and has also participated in numerous collective exhibitions and fairs both locally and abroad.
'Xwejni u bnadi oħra' - A contemporary jewellery exhibition by Nadège Renée Cassar. Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Gozo. 1st -24th September 2023