The excellence of Made in Italy is based on the ability to turn passion into art and ethics into practice. When architecture meets the goldsmith’s art, the vision of Clara Del Papa (founder of Clara Del Papa, SCULTURE DA INDOSSARE – WEARABLE SCULPTURES) comes to life. With her conceptual jewelry, the artist redefines the boundaries between body and matter, transforming metal into a narrative.
Clara was one of the central figures who took the stage at our Makers event. Together with other talents, such as Alberto Franchi of Villa Laviosa with his ethical grappa, she embodied the spirit of a visionary craftsmanship that is ethical, innovative, and deeply rooted in quality. Let us discover how this artist, through her mastery and rich cultural background, transforms thoughts into forms and emotions into matter.
Table of contents
Jewelry as a space of poetic freedom: The cultural legacy
Clara Del Papa is not only an artist; she is a thinker whose identity is shaped between two worlds. Born in Venezuela and raised amid vibrant cultures, she trained in architecture in Caracas but found in jewelry her space of poetic freedom, where design precision and emotional expression merge. Her journey is a continuous dialogue between worlds, languages, and artistic traditions, which influence each and every one of her creations.
“For me, jewelry is a space of poetic freedom. My creations are sculptures conceived to converse with body and soul, transforming everyday gestures into aesthetic experience. They are little universes to be worn.”
Matter Speaks: Silver and Conceptual Touch
Silver serves as a true “blank sheet” for Clara, the medium of choice through which she translates her concepts. Her iconic creations, such as the “Hug Rings”, “Glove Rings” and “Slip-on Rings”, do not merely decorate. They transform everyday gestures into art, inviting interaction and offering a genuinely sensory and tactile experience.
Each piece embodies a story of form and function, an echo of architecture that shows how the idea of sculpture can be made intimate and personal through design.
The creative method: a balance between tradition and experimentation
The success of Clara Del Papa’s jewelry is rooted in a method that celebrates craftsmanship honoring history, yet boldly embraces the future. Her creative process begins with intuition, sketches, and meticulous experimentation between material and technique.
Clara combines with wisdom:
- Traditional goldsmithing: The solid foundation of the craft, which guarantees the quality and durability of forms.
- Material cross‑pollination: The bold use of natural patinas, fired enamels, pigments and different materials, which add emotional and material depth.
- Digital innovation: The integration of tools such as 3D printing and digital processes, essential for pushing the limits of form and aesthetics.
This hybrid approach not only respects its roots, but elevates them, making each creation a meeting point between meticulous attention to detail and the innovative spirit of contemporary design.
The ethics of making: beauty, longevity, and awareness
In a world that is increasingly attentive to conscious consumption, the focus on ethics and sustainability is not a trend but a founding principle, shared by all the Makers who took part in our event.
For Clara Del Papa, attention to sustainability translates into a deep sense of responsibility:
- Care for materials: Rigorous selection and respect for the raw materials used.
- Care for time: Artisan workmanship understood as a gesture of love that requires the right rhythm, far from haste.
- Lasting over time: The creation of works destined to endure, carrying with them an emotional and artistic value that transcends the ephemeral.
Choosing a Clara Del Papa jewel is much more than appreciating luxury design; it means supporting a philosophy of production that is authentic and sincere, one that celebrates the earth and matter with respect and commitment. This is the essence of the ethical dedication that inspires true Makers.
