Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 102

Ichia Tiyi
Shared with Melange . . .
“I have been designing jewelry since 1993. My primary
introduction to this art-form was through my own self-
exploration of indigenous materials on island. I then went
on to apprentice for three months at the private jewelry
studio of Kenneth Forde in Trinidad in 1996, which led to
an intense period of creative incubation, where I explored
and experimented with the fusion of metallic and organic
materials.. . “
. . .
T
his experience proved fruitful when
I entered the Commonwealth
Arts and Craft competition (2001)
sponsored by the Commonwealth
Foundation in England, and won an award for
the entire Caribbean region. It is one of the
most prestigious awards an artist can aspire
to, and it became a pivotal turning point in my
career as a jewelry artist. This award granted
me the opportunity to travel to Ghana, West
Africa, where I studied Metal Product Design
at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology-College of Art, for one year.
There, I experimented with traditional as
well as alternative techniques in the art of
metalsmithing; an experience which increased
my technical possibilities and extended my
visual range. I am an art jeweller, and my
intention is to show the jeweler’s art in true
perspective, where design and craftsmanship
are valued above material worth of the metal.
About the birth of Tiyi by Design
I started jewelry making in the early 90’s using
indigenous materials found on island; sea-
washed glass, seeds, shells etc. I realized I loved
creating, and continued that process. Tiyi by
Design was born out of that experimentation
and has evolved to what you see today.
About her Jewelry Design Methods
I realized very early on that I wanted to stay
outside the box that society usually places you
in, to think and dream beyond my everyday
parameters, but also bearing in mind that it
was going to be difficult to pursue a career as a
full time jewelry designer, but, I knew I wanted
to change the way my society viewed art and
artists.
About her Mentors
I don’t have mentors in the jewelry industry per
se, but one of my biggest mentors in general
is Akyem-i Ramsay, a local visual artist and
sculptor. His entire life is “art action” and he
helped me to understand my design aesthetic
more, in my formative years, and to develop
a keen sensibility and sensitivity to materials
used.