




Inspired by the macabre Victorian trend of ‘Memento Mori’ (Latin for; remember you will die’) jewellery. Rings and objects were worn as reminders of one's mortality, featuring morbid imagery, secret compartments and hidden messages that signified death, memory and mourning.
Seeking to create a contemporary representation of this tradition the artist takes aspects of the original pieces combined with influences from myth and nature creating evocative ‘modern artefacts’ or ‘objects of contemplation’ that gently call attention to our mortality.
MEET THE DESIGNER
Sonia Popiolek is a jewellery designer and maker living and working near Plymouth in Devon. She began her training at the prestigious Sir John Cass school of Art and Design at London Guildhall University where she acquired excellent traditional jewellery making techniques.
Sonia has recently completed her training at Plymouth College of Art gaining a first class honours degree in jewellery design. Inspired by the mysteries of existence and the beauty of the universe her designs have an evocative quality with elements of the unknown. Her designs are bold yet fine in detail, favouring hand tools and the lost wax casting method to achieve her designs, Sonia combines base and precious metals with crystals and gemstones.
Sonia’s work has been exhibited at London Craft week and The Contemporary Craft Festival.