Masuda Kazi's jewellery endeavours

Jewellery has been the must have accessory in every fashion forward individual's wardrobe. These are not just limited to precious metals and stones or eye-catching beads set in intricate designs. Jewellery makers around the world are stretching their imagination to new heights and dimensions to find their own style. 

It should be of no surprise that jewellery making is itself an art that has its own space. An artist with an eye for material, Masuda Kazi is exploring this field with her unique outlook to what makes a standout accessory.

Jewellery making is storytelling, and that is the path Kazi explores with her creations. Comprising of statement necklaces and ear rings that range from crashing bold styles to demure minimalistic pendants, every one of her creations has a tale of its own. 

Kazi prefers polymer clay as her medium. She explains that every time she works with it, there is no telling what will come out! When she is mixing the colours red, white and blue, she lets herself free with the mix and catches the right pattern that will be perfect as a necklace and earrings. For one of her bold black pieces, she explains with delight, that it is worked in such a fantastic manner with the added clear polish and the glitter accents.

Her favourite motifs include fish, owl, lotus leaves and flowers, but she does not limit herself to these. Her papier-mâché shells with pearls or matching chains easily creates a seaside vibe that one can wear anywhere! Her work is bold and at the same time draws the futuristic wearer in its own way.

Her drawing skills also gain their own spotlight in her pendants as detailed peacocks or on small rocks as tiny flowers. Mixing agate and geode placed on metal holders, she has created necklaces for a sophisticated look with ceramic, wooden and lava rock beads.

Living in the USA, her work has been much easier as the variety of material available there is simply staggering. From the most simple jewellery findings (jewellery findings refer to everything from clasps and hooks to metal connectors specifically meant to support a piece without ruining its aesthetic appeal) to specially made earring hooks to suit her needs, Masuda Kazi is easily able to make her visions into reality. Of course, she lets the material at hand tell their story. "I don't do sketches, I just make it as I go along!" she says as she explains her work process.

As an artist she has had her fair share of exhibitions, but scaling up to an exhibition of her hand made jewellery is a different plane, she admits. She has, over the years, gifted her works to many of her friends and family, many of whom have, time and again, encouraged her to showcase her work. This year in Dhaka, she will be having her first jewellery exhibition after many months of preparation, packaging and arranging. She is optimistic that the viewers will see these and find the story she has set in them as well as!

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

To see her products in person, mark your calendar to visit Galleri Kaya from February 23-26, 2018 with one hundred of her beloved pieces on display. Galleri Kaya is located at House #20, Road #16, Sector #4, Uttara, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh. For details, please call - Mobile: +88 01752 684 900, Tel: 88-02-58956902.