A “co-creator” with nature, Philippines-based artist Ivan Co crafts intricate moving sculptures and pendulums from natural gems and metals. His journey has been a fascinating one. He earned a scholarship to GIA by winning a design award and pursued Jewelry Design at the Hong Kong campus.
After graduating, he worked for his family’s fine jewelry business, went on to launch his own jewelry brand before pushing the reset button by living at a temple for a year. His desire was, through discipline and self-reflection, to create art that “transcends the limitations of wearability.”
He now crafts sculptures, “jewelry versions of art,” using them to break down stereotypes and expand the global jewelry industry. He seeks gems that contain beautiful stories to tell and is currently fascinated with chrysocolla that is found in the mountain rivers in his home country, the Philippines.
According to Ivan, his education at GIA offers his patrons and collectors assurance that the pieces he creates for them are of the highest quality and beauty. The foundation he acquired here also allows him to appreciate gems in a new light and push boundaries to be absolutely original.
Courtesy: @mr.ivan.co