I am standing in my workshop, a beautiful space that is full of light whatever the weather outside. Time seems to stop. Creativity is a balance between the deep need to free creative forces and the pleasure of playing with matter. It's a dialog between hands and soul. I'm trying to generate emotions through my jewellery. Something slowly emerges that gathers power through time, as the creation process progresses. I connect with raw matter to understand it better, to make it mine and find a common ground with it. The jewel takes on a form, transforms. I journey with it, and then I let it escape so it is born and tamed by the person wearing it. A jewel is an intimate object and discloses an aspect of our personality. We choose to show it or keep it to ourselves like a secret.

I experiment by playing with metal and mixing different types of materials. By seeing the contrast between raw matter coming out of the oven, a flower, a seed or a shape made out of wax and the softness that comes from this shape, which is the essence of my work.

My jewels are mysteries that slowly become our own, like precious treasures. Decorative objects that are worn on the body, for the heart. They are asking to be picked up and held. The eyes graze the jewel and follow its shape, a balance between femininity and lightness. Opposites meet - shade and light, empty and full, outside and inside. On one side, lings are harmonious, soft and full. On the other side, more brutal depth intrigues. Strength is born from frailness.

Charlotte Fontaine, 1981, Geneva. Switzerland 


Education:
2004-2006 Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Geneva. Certificate for teaching art.
2000-2004 Haute Ecole d’Arts Appliqués, Geneva. Diploma HES, jewellery and product designer.
2003 Hochschule für Gestaltung, Pforzheim, Germany. Exchange semester.


Exhibitions :
2008 Gallery V&V, Viena, Austria | Gallery Yvart, Yverdon, Switzerland
2007 Galerie-Salon, Geneva |Gallery Jan Ken Poi, Geneva
2006 Label No Comment, Geneva
2005 Gallery Beatrice Lang, Berne, Switzerland | Gallery V&V, Vienna, Austria
2004 Graduates Show, Gallery Marzee, Nijmegen, Nl | Diploma exhibition, New Tech Center, Geneva | Centre Lez’arts, Geneva
2002 « Art Jewellery in Switzerland in the 20th Century », National Museum, Zurich | « Art Jewellery in Switzerland in the 20th Century », Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva | « Bijou d’appartenance au Club des Pies », Gallery Tactile, Geneva