The Jeweler
The work of Colombian contemporary jeweler Adriana Henao Mejía continues in the tradition of Colombian goldsmithing and is firmly rooted in the creation of collections based on research and study of Colombia’s legendary iconography, pre-Columbian goldsmithing, and a contemplation of nature. Another facet of her creativity is the design and manufacture of jewels reflecting the personality of the person wearing them fueled by her desire to create unique, personal symbols.
Exhibitions of her work in Colombia include El Envés de la Mirada (Galería Banasta, Rionegro, Antioquia, 2016), Bastón de la Palabra (Banco de la República, Bogotá, 2016), Jardín Encantado (Naranjo & Velilla Art Gallery, Medellín, 2011), Espíritu y Materia III (Galería Deimos Arte, Escuela de Artes y Oficios Santo Domingo, Cartagena, 2011), Biodiversidad (Naranjo & Velilla Art Gallery, Medellín, 2010), Florescencias (Kilates de Amor, Portobelo Design Center, Bogotá, 2009), “El árbol orfebre” in the exhibition, Oro, espíritu y naturaleza de un territorio, installation by Pedro Ruiz (Museum of Modern Art, Bogotá, 2009), 20th Salón Nacional del Fuego (Gilberto Alzate Avendaño Foundation, Bogotá, 2008).
International exhibitions include Tótem (Caring for Colombia, London, 2015), Áurea Jewelry Collection (Studio Gigi Maquinay, NYC, 2014), Áurea Jewelry Collection (Caring for Colombia, NYC, 2014), Green Jewels (Ecofriendly Expo, NYC, 2010), Waraa Collection (Latin American Cultural Week, NYC, 2007), Vaivén Collection (César Zapata Design Studio, NYC, 2007).
Adriana’s work has garnered numerous awards and accolades, such as a commission from the Office of the President of the Republic of Colombia to design the Bastón de la Palabra (sacred indigenous staff denoting power) presented to dignitaries attending the Pacific Alliance Summit (Cali, 2013); the Palo de Agua en Joyería Best Jewelry Award from Artesanías de Colombia, the Colombian state-sponsored arts and crafts organization, (Expoartesanías 2010); nominated for the 8th Premio Lápiz de Acero (Bogotá, 2010) for Flora; part of the official selection of the 20th Salón del Fuego sponsored by the Gilberto Alzate Avendaño Foundation (Bogotá, 2008) with her piece, Awáyaja, Destellos Solares; grant from the Colombian Ministry of Culture (2004) for her work on the application of mopa-mopa to unconventional surfaces; and a Beca Santander grant from Colcultura (1997) for her work Marcas wayuu: figuración plastic (Wayuu Brands: Artistic Figuration).
Adriana has published several works including Pendientes, 500 creaciones artísticas de todo el mundo (Earrings: 500 Artistic Creations from around the World (Amarillo Joyas, Promopress, Barcelona, 2013) and Anillos, 500 creaciones artísticas de todo el mundo (Rings: 500 Artistic Creations from around the World) (Amarillo Joyas, Promopress, Barcelona, 2010), and her work has appeared in Revista Proyecto Diseño (Vol. 67, 2009) and in the catalogue for the 20th Salón Nacional del Fuego (Gilberto Alzate Avendaño Foundation, 2008).
Aurea Joyas 