This feature explores the innovative artistry of two unique jewellery designers, Osian Efnisien and Misaki Nomoto. While Osian's work weaves a tapestry of absurdist narratives and dialogue with an eclectic array of materials, Misaki breathes new life into discarded everyday materials with a strong environmental ethos. These divergent yet interconnected paths underscore a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional jewellery design, turning abstract thoughts and found objects into tangible, wearable narratives that spark curiosity and challenge conventions.

Osian Efnisien, a UK-based visual artist and designer, has made a name for himself by blending the worlds of fine arts, fashion, animation, and design through his bold and experimental creations. With a background in fine art and design practice, Osian first emerged on the early UK street art scene with whimsical digital/analogue advertising campaigns and guerrilla street installations. He has since worked as an illustrator and designer, contributing to a variety of projects, including character-based augmented reality experiences and voiceovers for luxury brands like Hermès.

Osian's work is rich in absurdist narratives and dialogues, celebrating irreverent and oblique tendencies. His current focus is on chasing colour, shape, form, and meaning through the applied arts. In his latest series, he creates soft sculptural assemblages of contrasting objects, concepts, and thoughts, presenting them as intimately wearable and unwearable statements. These pieces explore notions of purpose, utility, value, and meaning within contemporary jewellery.

Misaki Nomoto's jewellery designs are a celebration of the everyday life. Drawing inspiration from the objects we use daily, news and events, and traditional Japanese crafts, Nomoto's creations are a testament to her unique approach to jewellery design. She frequently visits production sites and incorporates traditional techniques and materials into her work, occasionally collaborating with local artisans.

Nomoto's current focus is on finding new value in items that have lost their original purpose. By upcycling scrap materials from households and craft studios, she hopes to make people more familiar with environmental issues and encourage them to think about their impact. Her commitment to sustainability and her interest in daily life objects, various matters, and fields drives her creative endeavours.

One such piece, titled "The Answer to Everything," showcases Osian's ability to balance various colours and textures while pushing the boundaries of traditional jewellery design. This process-driven piece is packed with gems, crystals, and objects, questioning the permanence of art and materiality.

Osian began pursuing jewellery design around three years ago, seeing it as a perfect medium to translate his abstract thoughts and ideas into tangible objects. His journey as a designer has been an ongoing exploration of shape, colour, form, and meaning. Osian's penchant for juxtaposing materials, such as coal, wool, polyester, pharmaceuticals, precious stones, and plastics, adds intrigue and depth to his work.

Inspiration for Osian comes from everywhere, including books, cartoons, nature, paintings, sculptures, and social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. His thought-provoking ideas fuel his creative process and help him develop innovative designs.

When someone wears Osian's jewellery, he wants their brains and eyes to fizz, a testament to the unique and thought-provoking nature of his creations. As Osian continues to evolve as an artist and designer, he remains committed to pushing boundaries and inventing new ways to challenge conventional perspectives on jewellery and art.

One piece showcased in the Cluster exhibition highlights Nomoto's love for upcycled materials, particularly wood chips. The shapes and chisel marks resulting from the craftsman's handiwork are fascinating, yet these pieces of wood are often discarded. Nomoto's designs emphasise the overlooked charm in everyday items we often throw away.

Nomoto's journey into jewellery design began when she experienced ring-making at a jewellery college. Having always enjoyed creating and drawing, she decided to pursue a formal education in jewellery-making and design after finding a job and getting married. As a designer, she continues to evolve by learning from various artists and craftsmen, growing both artistically and personally.

Inspiration for Nomoto comes from everyday life, traditional Japanese crafts, and the materials she encounters. By observing and incorporating these elements, she fuels her creative process and designs unique, thought-provoking pieces.

When someone wears Misaki Nomoto's jewellery, she wants them to appreciate the beauty of upcycled materials and the value of sustainability. Through her innovative approach to jewellery design, Nomoto continues to challenge conventional perspectives and bring new life to everyday objects.