Gabrielle Desmarais - Simple shapes and powerful shades

Colours, fun and lightness define the beautiful jewellery by Gabrielle Desmarais.

Her production ranges from one of kind pieces to limited series creations as the latest colourful Achromat, made of hand-painted and hand-carved Wood.

The collection is playful, as the same name suggests: achromatic means  ‘without colours’, and it is in fact just a funny provocations because her pieces are everything but achromatic.

Simple shapes and powerful shades combined and mixed for an everyday look.

We addressed her some questions about her past and background.

Where does your passion for jewellery come from?

GD: While I was in College (studying accounting !?!?), I was always making some beading jewellery for my friends so I naturally decided to pursue my studies at the Montreal Jewellery School. I loved it but the real passion for jewellery happened while visiting the Galerie Noel Guyomarch, a very well curated contemporary jewellery gallery in Montreal. The work presented there is phenomenal!

Have you made any professional studies?

GD: Yes, I have studied at the Montreal Jewellery school and pursued my studies with additional workshops at Alchimia Jewellery school in Florence, Italy.

Tell us something about your aesthetic and technique: how do you usually work and what the making process is made of?

GD: I work a lot with paper and cardboards for prototypes, I also love to draw and paint. But my favourite process is when I work directly in the metal. I just love the feel of metals:)

What is your main idea behind jewellery?

GD: I must simply say that hand-made jewellery is MY artistic medium: the format (easy to cherish and hold in your hands), the sentimental value often attached to jewellery, the purpose hidden behind every piece makes it just so special! 

Is your research expanding from jewellery to other media? If yes how do you feel about it? 

GD: As previously said, even if I have tried other mediums (sculpture, painting), it all comes back to jewellery: My sculptures ends up being too small and wearable, or my painting would end up in 3D!

About Gabrielle Desmarais

Gabrielle Desmarais was born in Quebec in 1983. She received a degree from the Jewellery School of Montreal in 2010. Following her graduation, she was awarded the Janis Kerman Prize for Emerging Artists and was the first prize winner of the 7th National Jewellery Student Competition in Canada. Since then, she is dedicated to her artistic practice and received grants from the Art Council of Quebec in 2011 and in 2012. Her strong interest in contemporary jewellery has encouraged her to pursue her education with workshops at Atelier en Route in France, with Wiilemijn De Greef and at Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence, Italy. Since 2010, her work has been exhibited in numerous shows and publications in Quebec and abroad. As she continues to develop and create her own work, she currently teaches workshops at the jewellery schools in Montreal and hopes to contribute to improving the domain of contemporary jewellery in Quebec and beyond.