At Bhagya Sivaraman’s dwelling studio, she sits surrounded by artwork — her black line drawings on white paper cowl the partitions. Close to her desk, is a big stand from which dangle rows of earrings, every a special measurement, form, and color. There are vivid pinks, checked patterns, and sunny yellows.
“Artwork, to me, is open-eyed meditation,” she says. She is carrying a pair of enormous, black and white earrings from her model Colored Ears. Early in 2018, the interdisciplinary artist recollects how she started experimenting working with polymer clay. “Whereas I cherished carrying and hoarding silver and stone jewelry, I quickly realised that I used to be allergic to nickel. I needed to create one thing that I might put on with out having to fret about growing an allergy, and this led me to polymer clay,” she says.
Bhagya Sivaraman
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Particular Association
It took her a few years to practise, and he or she recollects burning materials, and even injuring herself throughout the making course of within the preliminary phases. Six years later, Bhagya is aware of her method round working with polymer clay, which is a hardenable modelling clay, and makes use of surgical chrome steel or titanium (on request), for the backs of the earrings.
The making entails an 18-step course of, and one which had led her to fall in love with colors, and the infinite chances of color mixtures. Every bit comes with a reputation and significance. There’s Atma, Terrazo Stones, Kintsugi, and Andromeda — the names encompassing her inspiration behind every earring.
The earrings are made from polymer clay, and surgical metal or titanium
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Particular Association
Whereas the earrings vary from small studs to massive items, every part may be very light-weight. “At pop-up exhibitions or markets, I encourage clients to attempt the earrings on and see how gentle it’s for themselves. The fabric is sturdy, and doesn’t break simply,” she says.
Her eclectic jewelry comes with many tags — luxurious, sustainable and gender-fluid. Every bit, Bhagya says, is exclusive, one-of-a-kind, and handmade, which earns it the luxurious tag. “The fabric used won’t be sustainable, however I be sure that I don’t waste clay. If a chunk comes out damaged, it goes again into the making of my subsequent batch.”
Ananya Panday wears Colored Ears on the Style Week Finale 2021 for Bodice
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Particular Association
Whereas constructing a buyer base in Chennai, Colored Ears walked for Bodice, a clothes model, at Lakmé Style Week Finale 2021 the place actor Ananya Panday was the showstopper. Her jewelry was additionally worn by fashions who showcased designers Pankaj and Nidhi’s assortment on the vogue week that yr. “For New York Satisfaction in 2023, I used to be requested to ship in jewelry for designer Mayyur Girotra’s assortment, and it was an exhilarating undertaking to be part of,” Bhagya says.
Her jewelry has additionally led her to assembly and dealing with folks she deeply admires. Throughout a present in Chennai, author and performer Alok V Menon donned jewelry from Colored Ears onstage. One other collaboration that has her excited, is custom-making jewelry for actor Alia Bhatt, for a soon-to-be-released advert marketing campaign.
In March, Bhagya showcased her jewelry at Cluster London’s up to date jewelry artwork honest which introduced collectively jewelry designers from the world over. “I hope to introduce classes — most likely Colored Necks and Palms? And even brooches, in a number of years,” she says.
A mannequin wears Colored Ears earrings at New York Satisfaction 2023 , as part of Mayyur Girotra’s showcase
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Particular Association
As a guide within the social sector working with organisations focussed on girls and youngster rights, and well-being, artwork has been a binding power in Bhagya’s life, having built-in it into a lot of her work with girls and kids. Whereas Colored Ears continues to develop, her line drawings too are making their method into inside tasks, and personal collections.
“I’m expressing myself on the intersection of various artwork types — there’s summary jewelry, and summary expression in my artwork as effectively. It’s heartening to see lots of people coming ahead to assist this,” she says.
Colored Ears is on the market on-line at colouredears.com. Comply with them on Instagram @colouredears. Costs begin from ₹900 onwards.
