Says young Jordanian artist displaying delicate semiprecious jewellery in gallery
Lama Hourani |
Lama is showing 300 pieces - necklaces, chokers, earrings, rings, bracelets, even cuff links - at The Majlis Gallery until December 8. The jewellery is priced between $20 and $500.
Her neckpieces are the highlight of the show. Semi-precious stones strung on silver wires and centred by stunning etched silver pendants - discs, squares, wavy rectangles...
She uses every semi-precious stone you can think of: the pale moonstone and the blood-red ruby bead; amethyst, turquoise, pearl, garnet, aquamarine, rose quartz, tourmaline, amber... Seems like a rainbow is resting on the table, framed in silver. No wonder Queen Rania of Jordan buys her jewellery.
Lama is particularly good in her combinations - unexpected and definitely pleasing. The effect, she says, comes from her art background.
"I studied fine arts and come from a very artistic family. My mom had an art gallery for 15 years. I have been surrounded by colours and contrasts all my life. My studies in art have taught me about colours, shapes, contrasts, mass and textures," she says.
She deliberately chose to work in jewellery because it's different. "Jewellery reflects character, identity, the sense of a woman's individual style. Women will always buy jewellery because jewellery is her best friend," she says, smiling.
Her own collections are unique and not just because they're handmade, she says. "My jewellery is innovative. I fuse familiar elements in a completely new way. My role as an artist is to see the beauty in everyday things and point it out."
At the same time, Lama is inspired by "tradition, history, architecture, archaeology" and believes her work is a fusion of the past and the present. "I feel my jewellery represents Arabia. It gives the right image of this very rich region," she underlines.
She has taken this image to several exhibitions across the Arab world - Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, the UAE - and has a permanent display at the Natural History Museum in New York, USA.
Yes, she is doing Arabia proud.
The gallery
* The Majlis Gallery, a beautifully restored old house, is hosting both exhibitions.
* The gallery is situated in Bastakia close to the Creek in Bur Dubai.
* It is open from 9.30am to 1.30pm and again from 4.30 to 8pm.
* The art and jewellery exhibitions run until December 8.
