Collection: Zantedeschia Robini - Dunedin

in collaboration with Andy Ruskin

THE RUSKINI COLLECTION
 
This body of work - and this journey together we have called CONFLUX - to describe the coming together of things, such as rivers, ideas or cultures. It can also be used to describe the result of that coming together. 
 
The very first day of Art School, Zantedeschia met Andy Ruskin. He parked himself at her workbench and very quickly the house was on fire. This year marks 30 years of our friendship. CONFLUX has come about through a mutual passion for the materials and processes that as craftsmen bind them together. As well as a celebration of their long standing friendship, it's fitting that the first of these collections be launched back in Nelson - where it all began.  

Zantedeschia Robini 

R O B I N I jewellery was established in 2001. First working as part of the Lure workshop and gallery, in Dunedin. And then later independently in Zantedeschia’s own studio workshop. 

The vision in her pieces is to converge timeless elegance with contemporary design. She is inspired by the rich heritage of exquisite craftsmanship, and the fusion of tradition with innovation. The devil is in the details and with a deep appreciation for the art of jewellery making, she creates contemporary pieces that pay homage to renowned jewellery traditions while embracing the spirit of modernity. 

In her creative process, she blends traditional goldsmithing techniques with contemporary design aesthetics. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted, combining extensive years of training with cutting edge technologies. This juxtaposition of old and new allows her to create jewellery that is both classic and contemporary, capturing the essence of timeless elegance while pushing the boundaries of design.

Andy Ruskin

Originally from Nelson, Andy moved to the West Coast of the South Island in 2001 to begin a life working with pounamu/greenstone (nephrite jade). His prior experience in various art/craft disciplines and mediums allowed him to quickly adapt to this exciting new material and establish a recognised name within the industry and among collectors nationally and internationally. With maternal whakapapa to the Ngai Tahu & Kati Mamoe iwi, long known for their stone working skill, he sees his work as a contemporary continuation of an ancient family tradition. 

"Pounamu is a unique material with a strength, beauty, rarity and cultural relevance that sets it apart from other stone types in Aotearoa. The reductive carving process requires a series of small acts of courage; once stone is removed it cannot be put back. To my mind, a material and a challenge worthy of dedicating a life to."