Taidon tie -exhibition 12.11. – 1.12.2024 Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva Kellarigalleria
Heidi Vornan has designed and crafted two pieces as
part of her master goldsmith work: the It’s Time pocket watch, inspired by Hugo Simberg, and the art deco-style Crucified diamond cross. These pieces are on display at the Lahti museum of visual arts Malva until December 1st.
The combination of time’s limits and humanity’s desire to measure time is a fascinating one and fits perfectly into Heidi Vornan’s art. In her works, she explores the theme of memento mori – the idea that life is finite and can end at any moment.
Vornan explains the name of the pocket watch: “I wanted to hide a cameo inside the watch, like a hidden secret. When the watch stops and you open it for maintenance, time has already run out, and your soul
is being cared for in the garden of death. The black vines around the watch are a reminder of the limits of time.”
Inside the watch is a cameo carved by German master engraver Andreas Roth, depicting Hugo Simberg’s Garden of Death.
Heidi Vornan spent hundreds of hours designing and crafting the pocket watch. It was made using modern technology as well as old, demanding techniques like the enameling which was the bravura of turn of the century jewellers and especially Fabergé.
The pocket watch’s creation was a collaboration among several professionals. “I wanted to do something really challenging and found a brilliant team of experts from different fields. Kari Voutilainen made the
dial in Switzerland using the old guilloche technique. Voutilainen also gave me valuable advice during the watch’s production,” says Vornan.
The watch features 130 black diamonds, 60 salt & pepper diamonds, silver, and white gold. The cabochon cut diamond in the watch’s crown was sourced from America.
Heidi Vornan’s second masterpiece is an art deco-style cross adorned with black diamonds. The jewelry was made with respect for traditional craftsmanship. “I wanted to combine classic style with gothic style,” she explains.
The cross, as a symbol, has always fascinated Vornan. “To me, the cross represents a symbol of death and an ancient instrument of torture.
It’s fascinating how the cross holds so many different meanings across cultures and throughout history.”
The cross is set with numerous black diamonds in white gold.
Master goldsmith Heidi Vornan is a long-time jewelry artist whose work has been seen on many artists such as Alexi Laiho, Amaranthe’s Elize Ryd, members of Lorna Shore, Waltteri Väyrynen, and Yoshiki from X Japan. In addition to her collection, she frequently takes on custom orders, ranging from wedding rings to the most imaginative jewelry. She also teaches vocational examination groups in the goldsmithing field.
