Glow getter: Cora Sheibani sparks a chemical reaction at Louisa Guinness Gallery
‘There’s this perception in the West that if a diamond is fluorescent it is less pure,’ jeweller Cora Sheibani explains of the opinion that fluorescent elements in a colourless stone can cloud its purity and lessen its value. ‘I think it’s a shame. Fluorescence should be celebrated rather than looked down upon.’ She has been searching for truly fluorescent gems for the past year. It’s not an easy endeavour. Many minerals phosphoresce, but few are actually fluorescent (their colour change can be admired under UV light only).
Sheibani’s latest show, at the Louisa Guinness Gallery in London Mayfair, is exhibited in darkness and caters to the unique nature of fluorescent gems, allowing the vividness of the glowing jewellery and fluorescent and phosphorescent elements of the designs on display, to shine through.
‘Glow’ also doubles up as a 15 year retrospective of Sheibani’s works, with some new pieces in the mix. ‘Unlike most jewellery shows which appear to women and jewellery lovers, this show will appeal not just to jewellery lovers, but to children, and anyone with a sense of curiosity.’
Sheibani’s playful instinct is evident: ‘I’ve always made jewellery that is inspired by everyday things, such as food or clouds or plants. Sometimes it’s abstract but there’s always a happy and playful element to it. Serious fine jewellery doesn’t always have to be ‘serious’.
The pieces on show make up an eclectic whole: a cloud shape brooch with glowing blue diamonds evoking windows and rain, sits alongside cupcake rings and flowering cacti bracelets. Sheibani is also adamant that the jewellery needs to be aesthetically impressive in its own right. ‘It has to look fantastic even without fluorescence. The glowing colour is an added bonus.’
INFORMATION
‘Glow’ is on view from 5 March – 30 April. For more information, visit the Cora Sheibani website and the Louisa Guinnesss Gallery website
ADDRESS
Louisa Guinness Gallery
45 Conduit Street
W1S 2YN
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
Maude’s Brâncuși-inspired sex toys go on display in a new Paris exhibition
Maude’s design-led vibrators are now on display at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, as part of ‘Private Lives: From the Bedroom to Social Media’. Brand founder Éva Goicochea talks to Wallpaper* about partnering with the museum and opening up cultural conversations around sex
By India Birgitta Jarvis Published
-
‘I was captivated by the idea of merging two iconic brands’: Nigo on his collaboration with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz, which features a 1990s-inspired riff on the G-Wagon
Unveiled at Moncler’s ‘The City of Genius’ event in Shanghai this past weekend, Japanese fashion designer Nigo unpacks his three-way collaboration with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz, which includes a play on the G-Class alongside a fashion collection in his eclectic style
By Jack Moss Published
-
Cathay Pacific’s new business class Aria Suites take flight
Cathay Pacific raises the bar for business-class travel with the launch of the much-anticipated Aria Suites
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Through the lens of photographer Tino Chiwariro
‘Through the lens’ is our monthly series that throws the spotlight on photographers who are Wallpaper* contributors. Here we explore London-based Tino Chiwariro's vision further
By Sophie Gladstone Last updated
-
Catherine Opie and Cindy Sherman make a cameo appearance in Venice
By Georgia Dehn Published
-
There’s hidden meanings pinned to Lin Cheung’s carved brooches
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Steel pulse: a Paris exhibition homes in on the alchemic genius of Daniel Brush
By Caragh McKay Last updated
-
Light touch: photographer Karen Collins captures Chaumet’s carefree mood
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Milan's Fragile gallery hosts a new exhibition of jewellery, designed by bold-faced artists
By JJ Martin Last updated
-
Van Cleef & Arpels: 'L'Art de la Haute Joaillerie' exhibition, Paris
By Caragh McKay Last updated