This week the Friedrich Becker Prize will be awarded in Düsseldorf followed by a jewellery exhibition by international artists at the Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf. The Stadtmuseum will also show the ring creation "Asterism" by jewellery designer and goldsmith Claudio Pino from Montreal. He is world-renowned for his unique sculptural and kinetic rings. His intricate designs have appeared in films such as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Stephen King's The Dark Tower. Since earning his master jeweller's diploma from EMSOM Jewelry School of Montreal in 1995, Pino has devoted himself exclusively to making rings.

Pino studied the origins of jewellery among the First Nations of North America. To understand the significance of engagement rings, he travelled to Egypt, where he examined the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian jewellery at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the Great Library of Alexandria. This collection includes one of the oldest engagement rings in history, of Queen Aah-Hotep, the mother of Ahmose I. This experience in terms of the world's view of ancestral customs and the symbolism of love, inspires his work today. The artist prefers to work with platinum, palladium, gold, argentium and silver.

3 May 2023

Interview Directory 

ART, FASHION

Name: Claudio Pino

Occupation: Jewellery designer  goldsmith, artist

"Asterism": This ring creation

will be on show at  the Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf from May 6 to 30, 2023 for the Friedrich Becker Prize 2023 International Juried Exhibition. After, it will be shown at the Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Museum in Hanau from June 7 to July 9, 2023.

"In my jewelry designs, the sky has always been a source of great inspiration. The magnificent and mysterious Milky Way and the celestial constellations are the roots of my creativity for the aesthetic choice I made in this design."

Can you tell the readers your inspiration for your ring selected for the prestigious Friedrich Becker Prize 2023 International Juried Exhibition?

Of course! "Asterism" is a three-finger ring inspired by the patterns of the star. In astronomy, an asterism is a remarkable figure drawn by particularly bright stars. In my jewelry designs, the sky has always been a source of great inspiration. The magnificent and mysterious Milky Way and the celestial constellations are the roots of my creativity for the aesthetic choice I made in this design.

"It’s such a privilege to design something especially for and about someone."

In a previous interview you said that the rings were commissioned works. Who was this ring made for, if you may say?

I did mention that I love to create personalized rings. It’s such a privilege to design something especially for and about someone. People who contact me for commissioned work are fine art jewelry lovers looking for something unique, and with my designs I try to make this desire come true. Whether they are looking for a design that is classic or eccentric, minimalist or complex, people love to have the opportunity to speak directly with with me to develop something special for them or their beloved. I love to have this kind of exchange with customers; it’s always an honor. That said, not all my rings are commissioned works; I also create one-of-a-kind pieces for exhibits in galleries and museums, as well as for competitions. This is the case with this "Asterism" ring which was made especially for international contests.

"This ring took a lot of time to design and create. I gave myself the luxury of time."

How long did it take to make and what materials did you use? You cut some of the stones yourself, don't you?

This ring took a lot of time to design and create. I gave myself the luxury of time. Also, my creative process was quite different for this ring because it was the first time I collaborated with the master gem cutter, Claude Marc-Aurele. I had such wonderful exchanges with him over months before we worked together. I sent him some ideas of shapes and sizes for the gemstone, and he created this fabulous cut on an amethyst. It was really by holding the gem in my hand that the magic began, and the design I had in mind came to life. I used 18k gold and 925 sterling silver, with pearls, tsavorite and garnet I cut myself. It was such a pleasure to collaborate with him and let my imagination be completely free to interpret the theme I explored: the infinite Asterisms.

"What makes a ring powerful? Is it the interplay of shifting light, shadow, and depth created by the unique combination of metallic, matched colors, or is it the vintage surface that recalls memories and projects unmistakable power?"

Where does your love of rings come from?

Rings are passed from generation to generation. They can symbolize love, success... or serve as talismans, and they are filled with incomparable powers. I researched the importance of the ring in history and its unique role at different periods in time. From ancient Egypt to the twenty-first century, their history is complex and fascinating. What makes a ring powerful? Is it the interplay of shifting light, shadow, and depth created by the unique combination of metallic, matched colors, or is it the vintage surface that recalls memories and projects unmistakable power? Some details can only be revealed by the one who wears the ring. Moreover, I do think they are one of the most challenging pieces of jewelry to design and make, because they move with the hands. They need to be comfortable, and their details need to be quite small. People will often contact me first to talk about the one they love or themselves, so I can make a piece especially for them, informed by their personality, and filled with symbols, details, and stories that demonstrate their love, their passion, and their personality. I seek to create something that will be part of their history and will be handed down to future generations.

Where can you buy the PINO rings at the moment?

My rings can be purchased directly through my website (www.pinodesign.net) or by contact me directly via email to place special orders. My works can also be find in galleries, and museums. Currently, my rings are available to buy at the Mobilia Gallery in Cambridge, USA; at The Guilde in Montreal, Canada; and soon at the Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf from May 6 to 30, 2023 for the Friedrich Becker Prize 2023 International Juried Exhibition. After, it will be shown at the Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Museum in Hanau from June 7 to July 9, 2023.

Claudio Pino ©Arkan Zakharov