From March 28 until April 19, 2014
at Art Gallery PUTTI

Solo exhibition of
Norvegian contemporary jewellery artist Felieke van der Leest

ZOO IS LIFE

Contemporary jewelry artist Felieke van der Leest in her artworks uses such techniques as knitting, crocheting, and beading – using special, extremely fine yarns and tailor-made needles and hooks. Connecting the precious metals with textiles and toy animals, the artist creates a witty, attractive and colorful jewelry that brings out a smile and leaves no spectator indifferent.
“When I work with colors, I feel like an artist when I am working with metal, I feel like a constructor , and when I am working with toys , I feel like a child, ” the artist comments on her creative process.
Plastic fish, seals, bears, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, dogs, birds and other animals live in the author’s works of art. Toys are dressed up, cut and assembled, decorated and adorned. Transforming then both visually and conceptually, the artist manages to get them incorporate in her surreal world, discovering a new life for them.
“I think my work rather be called wearable sculptures rather than jewelry, ” the artist explains.

Despite the witty approach to the jewelry making, Felieke, with her work also touches upon such social and serious issues as animal rights and environmental protection.
“Often the carriers of my jewelry tell me stories about my artwork that I would not have been able to see in my jewelry, “explains Felieke.
Felieke van der Leest was born and raised in the Netherlands, but since 2008 lives in West Norway. She got her jewerer diploma in 1996 when she graduated from the Jewelry Department at Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. For several years, the international and conceptual professional contemporary jewelry artists’ society the work of Felieke van der Leest is very highly valued and appreciated; it can be found in museums and private collections around the world.
Scenography by new and talented scenographer based in Riga Sintija Jēkabsone.

Materials from Felieke van der Leest’s lecture at The Art Academy of Latvia

Putti Blog about Felieke van der Leest (link)

Arterritory about exhibition “Zoo is life” (link)

diena.lv about exhibition “Zoo is life” (link)

Opening night