I have always been fascinated by the infinite potential that metals offer and the opportunity of transforming their original properties and aspect in order to stretch the scope of what can be achieved. I avail myself of antique goldsmith techniques that have almost fallen into disuse, such as Niello and Granulation, personalizing them in order to give my work a distinctive character. I work with precious metals, combining them with other metals such as iron, copper and brass. I apply niello to the surface of the metal so that it is completely covered. In this way, the preciousness of the metal disappears leaving way to a dark, rough surface. Through the use of heat, I achieve cracks and clots resulting in surfaces that seem battered and ill-treated, resembling ancient relics. My work is based on spontaneity and instinct. I try to transfer everyday emotions into my jewellery in an impulsive way. This method allows me to develop works that are unique and sculptural. I endeavor to use the same sort of approach as I do when painting and often treat the surface of the metal as a canvas. This instinctive approach is counteracted by the precise, geometric forms that I use, whereby everything seems to be brought back into place.

Born in Modena (Italy) in 1957, Gigi Mariani opened his own studio in 1985 after a two-year apprenticeship in a goldsmith’s workshop. Since 2009 he attended several seminar workshops on goldsmith’s techniques and from 2012 onward his presence in the field of contemporary jewellery counted several exhibitions and awards. The dense consistency of his black surfaces as well as his “painterly style” reached attention at international fairs and exhibitions. His works are represented by several art jewellery galleries in Europe and America. He lives and works in Modena.

Bio

1983 Apprenticeship by a Goldsmith ‘s laboratory

1985 Opened his own studio in Modena

2001/02 Seminar on diamond grading, Chamber of Commerce – Modena

2001 Since 2001 collaboration with the Archaeological Museum – Modena

2009 Workshop with Graziano Visintin e MariaRosa Franzin | Enrolment AGC| Co-founder Artifizio group

2011 Granulation Workshop with G.Corvaja, Alchimia, Florence | Member Klimt02 | Member Crafthaus | Workshop mokume gane with G.Corvaja, Todi italia

2012 Curator with H.Herb – International jewelry Competition “……vices or lifestyle” | Member of Gesellschaft fur Goldschmiedekunst, Hanau, Germany

2013-2021 Vice president AGC Italy (Associazione Gioiello Contemporaneo)

Awards

2015 Guest Artist for 2015 Edition of Joya Art Jewellery Fair / Alliages Choice – The legacy award

2014 First Prize Joya 2014, Barcellona, Spain || Selected for the Herbert Hofmann 2015 Award, Schmuck 2015 (Munich)

2013 First prize Cominelli Foundation 2013 Award

2012 Premi Joid’art, Enjoia’t 2012, Barcellona

2011 Gioielli in Fermento, Premio Torre Fornello (PC) || First prize ONOFF Spazio Aperto Award 150°, Padua, Italy

Permanent Collections

Helen Drutt Collection and Olnick-Spanu Collections, USA;

Museo di Palazzo Pitti, Firenze and Cominelli Foundation, Salò, Italy; Espace Solidor, Alliages Legacy Collection, Cagnes-sur-Mer, France; Museo Civico Modena, Modena, Italy.

Mostre personali | Solo exhibitions

2025. Marks of Time, Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery, London

2025. Interazione/Interaktion, Isabella Hund Gallery, Munich , De (with Maria Rosa Franzin)

2024. Elixir Jewellery, Slavik Gallery, Wien, Austria (with Anna Hendl)

2023. Soul to soul, Thereza Pedroza Gallery, Asolo Italy (with Jeemin Jamie Chung )

2021. Connessioni per I 150 anni Museo Civico Modena, Modena Italy

2019. Beyond the Black, Hannah Gallery, Barcellona ,Spain

2018. Solo , Albert Riedi Gallery, Chur, Switzerland

2018. Tracce nella Materia, Oratorio San Rocco , Padova Italy

2017. Gold on the tracks, Galerie Isabella Hund, Munich , De (with Maria Rosa Franzin )

and represented in more galleries in Venice, Barcelona, Lille, Zurich, Gent, Riga, Wien, Athens, London, New York, Santa Fe