National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

Sparkling Stories

Real-world images come alive in Angela Dodson Soulier's creations

By SHRIJAN KHADKA

An exhibition on jewellery at Indigo Art Gallery has offered Kathmandu residents an extraordinary demonstration of foreign art. In the show, titled "Themes in Jewellery", Mexican-born Angela Dodson Soulier has reflected different aspects of life in her collection of jewellery. In most of her works, there is at least one object that tells a story from her life. The 10-day exhibition opened on March 8.

Each of Soulier's 43 wonderful creations has a unique set of characteristics, representing a component of the real world. There are flowers, buds, stars, fish, underwater world, dolphins, pendulum, etc., which have been well carved on her jewellery. Each of her imaginative creations has been given a name that shows her immense love for nature. Names like Dragonfly, Lotus, Deep Sea and Tulips stand for the creations of nature and have been exposed well by the artist.

The cost of the jewellery varies with the item, the cheapest one, titled Red Choker, costing Rs.3,000. This item has been made from silver Syrian blown glass on red cord. Similarly, the most expensive jewellery costs Rs.30,000, which has been given the name Deep Sea. It has been made from the agate from New Mexico Silver. The variation in the cost has facilitated customers to enjoy the lovely creations of Soulier.

One visitor came out with she described as an unforgettable memory. "There is so much life in Angela's creation," she remarked.

Rabindra Shakya, manager of the Indigo Art Gallery, said his organization always encourages new artistes. "We have always been in favor of those who come up with creative ideas. We found Angela's jewellery really innovative. For this reason, the director of this gallery and myself jointly agreed to Angela's proposal. So far, since this is the first day, the exhibition has been going on as expected. The customers who have come for this opening day are mostly our regular customers. They have responded well. I hope such exhibitions will continue in the future."

Soulier expresses her gratitude to the gallery for giving her the opportunity. Asked to explain the purpose of the exhibition, she said: "I have mainly focused on the physical objects of the natural world. The reason for conducting this exhibition in this country is one, it coincided with my stay in this country since two and a half years and two, the director of this gallery is well known to me and to my husband. Besides, this gallery was fit for the exhibition."

She added: "I am returning back to my own country in July and I am taking back with me the materials required for my jewellery from this country."

Soulier has really been a great inspiration to those involved in this field. On the first day of the show, one could see some Nepalese gathering around her and asking questions relating to her creations. The show represented an important occasion in a field of jewellery that is slowly taking shape in the country.