The Art And The Artist | Reena Ahluwalia Featured by Adorn Magazine

Reena Ahluwalia was recently featured in ADORN Magazine - India's First Luxury Jewellery Magazine (Nov. - Dec. 2016). In an exclusive interview, editor Shanoo Bijlani finds out more about artist Reena Ahluwalia, her art and what drives her to create her diamond paintings. 

Reena Ahluwalia recognized as Top 25 "Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada"

"It's a great privilege to be recognized as a Master Canadian Jewellery Designer. I am delighted at this recognition of my ongoing journey of creating meaningful jewelry with narratives that promote socially-conscious values."

-- Reena Ahluwalia

November, 2013. Toronto — The first-ever books about fine jewellery in Canada highlight a talented group of designers who have won every major international award, and have earned prestigious jewellery commissions from people ranging from Pope John II to Uma Thurman. The two-volume, 50-year retrospective on jewellery in Canada was written and produced by Cora Golden, who also co-authored the award-winning book, Design in Canada. Produced in collaboration with Birks, Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada (Volume 1 and 2) include over 450 photographs of rarely seen Canadian-designed jewellery. Together, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the makers of the most beautiful objects in the world.

Volume 1: Post-War Pioneers profiles 25 early designers and ateliers.

Volume 2: Contemporary Artists features 25 current designers; many of whom were trained or influenced by the previous generation. Worldly and peripatetic, John de Jong caters to upscale clients across Europe and North America; while Reena Ahluwalia, also of Toronto, often uses Canadian diamonds in her extravagant creations. 

Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada (Volume 1 and Volume 2) are now available on Apple iTunes for purchase. Don't forget to get your copy!

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/masters-jewellery-design-in/id727835668?mt=11

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/masters-jewellery-design-in/id621630295?mt=11

Author Cora Golden: http://www.goldene-books.com/

Designer Reena Ahluwalia. Excerpt from Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada. Vol. 2.

JNA Interview - Reena Ahluwalia

Jewellery News Asia features an interview with designer Reena Ahluwalia in their July 2013 Issue 347. Interview by Marie Feliciano, Editor, JNA.

About JNA Magazine: Jewellery News Asia is a leading monthly news magazine for the world's jewellery trade; diamond, pearl, gemstone and jewellery-making equipment and supplies sectors in Asia. Every month Jewellery News Asia features original reports by experienced journalists.

Cover - Jewellery News Asia, July 2013 Issue 347

The Art Of Spontaneity

Freshness, immediacy of moment and an impulse - I love spontaneity.

As a designer, what I have uncovered about spontaneous discoveries is very special. These unscripted moments have a tendency to come back to me, sometimes years later and manifest themselves into ideas. They some how connect and expand and become tangible. I don't over think these moments, I just let them fill me.

One day strolling on the streets of Santiago, Chile, this is what I unexpectedly found. No, I didn't come back and make a piece of jewelry that exactly resembles this seed bulb, nor did I name a jewelry collection after the city. Not as yet. What instead I did was this - nothing! I will let this spontaneous moment float somewhere in my mind and hope when the time is right it will come back.

Well, at least that's how spontaneous things work for me.

Thousand Words Imagery

“It's somewhat imagery related.” -- Dan Cronin

I believe each interaction leaves an imprint. What we make of it, is left up to us.

It leads me to think about the countless images we come across each day. All deposited in our mind-bank. Mind that make associations, converts them into referential material, add layers of meaning that we tease out from time to time.

All that is left is observation. Imagination, my friends, will follow ! 

I came across John Grant's work in 2010, and still find it intriguing. A multitude of images, emotions and symbolism, all contained in a small glass of water. Enjoy!

Video: John Grant - The Language of Water (2010) - Ink in water.

To ​see a world in a grain of sand,

And heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.​

​-- William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

For The Love Of Diagonals

Directional | Dramatic | Dynamic - Diagonals intrigue me.

One of the ways, I figure, I look at things is by finding the logic of mathematics in forms, shapes, patterns and their relation to each other. It happens seamlessly and rather quietly.

To me there is something special about how diagonals render activity, emphasis, movement, speed and emotion. ​I am in the process of generating ideas for a high-value diamond. I have a feeling that diagonals will play a decisive role in its final destiny.

When eyes follow, so does the emotions! 

​Image: Chapel in Villeaceron By Sancho Madridejos Architecture Office

Image: Marcel Breuer - Hungarian-born modernist, architect and furniture designer.

​Image: ‘Gold Virtuosi’ ensemble by Reena Ahluwalia. 18K white and yellow gold. 12 inch necklace transitions from 2D to 3D. Composed of diagonal planer elements and triangles; each plate is hinged and folds like pleats to create a 3D form. Inspired by Pragati Maidan, a large convention center in New Delhi, India. The impression it left on me, resulted in a gold jewel. I found the interplay of open and closed spaces fascinating, as they almost assume human qualities. A meeting place, coming together of minds, blending and forming.

Exploration drawings by Reena Ahluwalia. Lower left drawing shows how necklace transitions from 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional form.

5 Attributes of a Good Designer

Just like no two diamonds or fingerprints are alike, no two designers are the same. Alongside creativity and originality, what else makes a good designer?

Take a look at Reena Ahluwalia's 5 Attributes of a Good Designer!

Image: ©Reena Ahluwalia's 5 Attributes of a Good Designer.

Infinite like Universe

Floating all around us, infinite like universe... is every idea and expression that ever was, ever will be.

Black ceramic 'Shining Stars' floating-diamonds ring in 18k yellow gold. Royal Asscher & Reena Ahluwalia.

On Balance

"Design is the search for a magical balance between intuition and reason; concept and detail; playfulness and formality." — Valerie Pettis

Need for balance is one of the most important influences on human perception.

​We look for it, we strive for it.

And yet, it takes work.

Harold Lloyd, a silent film comedian, performs a headstand on the edge of a skyscraper. 1930s.

Joe Steinmetz balancing five eggs on the edge of a knife. 1939. Image: Via Florida Memory

It's pure magic, when we arrive at it!

Royal Asscher Limited Edition 'Diamond Jubilee Stars' Collection designed by Reena Ahluwalia. Collection especially made in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The colors of the diamonds - pink, blue and white resemble the three colors of The Union Jack, the British National Flag.

Texture is...

Texture is much more than physical composition or structure (it is that too). Populations, countries, communities, art, music, ideas, thoughts...are textural as well. Moving, shifting and never static.

‘Ethereal Rhapsody’ necklace by Reena Ahluwalia. Inspiration for ‘Ethereal Rhapsody’ came from the Pleiades star clusters also know as Seven Sisters in the Greek mythology. Tahitian pearls, black diamonds, white diamonds, 18 K white gold. Winner of Tahitian Pearl Trophy.