NICOLAS ESTRADA, blending materials, textures & stones

Words by Lula Criado

I met Nicolás Estrada about five years ago in Barcelona and I have since followed his work and travels closely. Nicolás is a Colombian jeweller living in Barcelona who blends materials, textures, concepts and stones to create thought-provoking and conceptual pieces of jewellery.

Weapons, knives, religious icons and bleeding hearts are some of the provocative motifs which are found in his work. Recently his stunning universe has evolved and Diaphanous, his master project developed in Germany over the last two years, is the result of this evolution. 

His past experiences being a foundational part of his current ideas, new shapes sizes, and textures and help illustrate the political and societal themes in this new iteration of work from Nicolás.

Diaphanous is composed of eleven pieces divided into three series —Fragility, Delicacy and Light— in which each piece has its own story.

What is more important: to take or not to take yourself too seriously in order to be creative?

I always take myself too seriously; maybe I should try not to.

What’s your favourite time of the day?

Sunrise, everything starts again with amazing light.

Solitude or loneliness, how do you spend your time alone?

Solitude and loneliness are very hard and sad feelings. My time alone is usually in front of the computer, how awful.

Have you found beauty in unexpected places/situations?

I manage to find beauty almost everywhere; it is what I am always searching.

What do you want to achieve before you die?

Tranquillity.

One for the road… What are you unafraid of?

Failure.

 

 (All photos courtesy the artist. Photo credit: Manuel Ocaña)