Matthieu Cheminee

New Art Nouveau Ring sterling silver, 18k gold, champagne diamonds, Tahitian pearl

Belt Buckle “I Need More Money”, sterling silver and semi-precious stones

During my childhood, I never thought I would become a jeweller, but I always was in admiration of my mother’s ethnic jewellery collection, exposed in a glass case in our living room in Paris. My father was a volcanologist and because of that was travelling all over the world and would bring back pieces of jewellery. A wonderful collection of Ethiopian crosses, bracelets from different countries in Africa, but also from India and Afghanistan and more.

It is when I turned 19 that I discovered my vocation. I went to Taos New-Mexico to visit my great aunt who was a painter, and all the shop windows were full of colourful Native American Indian jewellery; some Navajo concha belts, some Zuni inlay bracelets and many more. At that moment, my passion for this craft, for ethnical jewellery and for learning and sharing techniques took root.

Cross pendant “I Am Too Fat�, sterling silver and semi-precious stones

Belt buckle “On Sundays”, sterling silver and semi-precious stones

I started learning jewellery making from the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni silversmiths of Taos, New Mexico. Seven years later I moved to Mali West Africa, where I studied with the Touareg and Bambara jewellers for a few years. I then established myself in Montréal, where I joined a jewellery school to learn a more classical view of the trade.

Since my arrival in Montréal, I have been making jewellery and selling in galleries and shows across Canada and the US. For seven years now, I have been teaching jewellery in a professional school.

Pendant “ Loving Africa� sterling silver and semi-precious stones

Ring “Freedom” sterling silver and semi-precious stones

For many years now, I have been working to give back to the jewellers in West Africa who taught me and have given me so much. One of the ways I have been doing this is through a teaching collaboration.

I have been filming old techniques in different countries (Guinea, Mali and Niger) and then creating a course from those videos. I offer these classes here in Montreal and the proceeds are split with the African jeweller. The revenue created by this equitable collaboration is allowing formidable changes to the lives of these wonderful and skilful jewellers. I’m also giving many conferences on West African jewellers, their techniques and their day-to-day lives. My hope is to open a jewellery school in Guinea in the next few years.

Ring “Drive-In” 14k gold and citrine.

Ring “Spring Love� 18k gold, tourmaline and pink sapphire

I also offer classes on specifics techniques, such as my trip to Niger with a Canadian NGO (CECI), where I taught a group of Touareg jewellers from across the country on stone setting and design.

I am now working with jewellers and an NGO in Guinea to open a center for the artisans with a jewellery school which will offer reinforcement classes to the jewellers and formations for women, for street kids and also those with disabilities.

Ring “Secret Garden� sterling silver, 18k gold tourmalines, topaz citrine and amethyst

Ring “Coral Reef � sterling silver, semi-precious stones and pearl

This series is born of two worlds for me.

In Africa, jewellery is worn and then melted and transformed into new pieces as fashion changes. This recycling is due to the lack of metals. This is one of the reasons why it is very difficult to find real antique African jewellery.

Heirloom Bracelet, made of rings, in sterling silver and precious stones and pearls

In North America, we have a tendency to keep our jewels and pass them on, as heirloom. And at the same time, styles change fast and when an older jeweller retires or passes away, his entire collection of molds from all his years of work is often thrown away.

This is how I decided to do this line, made out of many old pieces from the last 40 years from molds I received from retiring jewellers.

It is a way of giving new life to all their work.

Peace & Love Bracelet, sterling silver, precious and semi-precious stones

Bracelet “I Will Love You Until I Don’t”, sterling silver and semi-precious stones

STAMP WORK Stamp Work is a style that is a constant for me. I keep producing, improving, and adding to it. There are some lines and series that I do to play, to experiment with new techniques and ideas, and most of the time to pass a message.

Stamp work first started as a way to design leather, in many places like Mexico on horses saddle or by the Touaregs on leather boxes in West Africa. Then it moved to metal.

Bracelet made with found rust and sterling silver

Rings in 18k gold with found rust citrine and diamonds (Published in the 500 series books: wedding rings)

The Rust Series: I started picking up scrap metal I found in the street. Pop cans, parts of muffler etc. Some of these pieces were weathered so beautifully, I thought to integrate them into jewellery.

I love the contrast of the rust against the polished silver or the gold and diamonds. It is an other way to recycle discards objects.

What I love about stamp work is the freedom it brings.

You don’t need a workshop, you can be moving around, all you need is a hammer, metal and some steel that you transform into stamps.

Also, it can be found in many cultures around the world.

Hand stamped 18 k gold ring with a peridot and diamonds

This series is also the continuity of another one based on thoughts: How our thoughts create and rule our life.

One of Rumi poems, The Guest House, is a very big inspiration to that series and is featured on this bracelet.

THE GUEST HOUSE This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

Bracelet “the guest house”, sterling silver

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~

Rings from Cheminée’s Stamp Collections - not featured in the Exhibition

Innovation Metal novation & Craftsmanship in Me Exhibition & Trunk Show Opening May 3, 2012 Aaron Faber Gallery 666 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10103 http://jewelryofquebec.lmrpr.com email: jewelryquebec@lmrpr.com