ABOUT THE ARTIST

In the course of her training, Emanuela Duca studied a variety of media, but felt a special affinity for jewelry design. She brings her love of the other disciplines, dance, sculpture and painting, to her work. Her interest in light, form and surface are reflected in her treatment of metals. Light plays within their rich textures of her metas, creating subtle tone, accenting its character. And by bending, folding and manipulating them, she gives her pieces movement and energy. Dustings of diamonds delight and surprise.

Born in Rome and now residing in New York, Duca's training in Italy was formal and rigorous. She studied at the School of Art in Rome and the European Institute Design. She worked under the esteemd Alvaro Onofri, conforming to the strict technical demands of classical metalsmithing.

ABOUT THE WORK

"In my earlier work, I drew on childhood memories of staring at the Mediterranean, terrified of the water's violence yet mesmerized by its beauty. It's a tension-and an indelible image-that resonates throughout all my designs, as I strive to blur the line between solid and liquid form. And play with light, shape and movement the way water does, sometimes appearing still and dark, at other times, fluid and light.

"My most recent work evolves the notion of movement in solid form and how it pertains to my Roman experience. But instead of water, I explore more earth-bound elements, reviving archaic forms and re-interpreting them with a modern sensibility."

Duca utilizes several techniques when fabricating her pieces. The basic elements are first carved from wax, then cast. She folds, cuts, pierces a, hammers and solders these to create the works she imagines.

AWARDS

2009 Recipient of the American Craft Council Award for Excellence, Baltimore
2008 Finalist, Niche Awards
2006 American Jewelry Design Council

PUBLICATIONS

Jewelry Artist 2009
Inside Weddings 2009, 2008
Bridal Guide 2009
MJSA Journal 2008
Allure 2007

EDUCATION

Liceo Artistico, indirizzo Architettura, Rome, Italy
European Institute of Design, Rome, Italy
Alvaro Onofri Goldsmith Studio, Rome, Italy
Instituto Addestramento Lavatori dello Spettacolo, Contemporary Jazz Dance, Rome Italy