Interview
NIYIEM [nigh-eem] meaning “creativity” is a dreamed up word of moments, values and people that caused Darya's jewelry making to come into being. Her modern design style embraces bold colour and texture with minimalist, clean lines to create interesting, wearable art. Based on Vancouver Island in Canada, Darya enjoys working from a small eco studio on her modern homestead. Her personal values of clean, non toxic, intentional living are reflected in her choice of materials, ways of working and design process and aesthetic.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have a very eclectic background of experiences and education which influences my art and making process. Raised by artisans on a remote island off the west coast of Canada, I spent my earliest years in a creative, free spirited environment which has a vital influence on my current living and making, even still. I was fortunate to travel and do philanthropic work in my young adult years which later led me to teaching Spanish. My love for planning and design drew me into the direction of wedding planning which I thought I would be doing for many years. One very surprising day my Mom received a cancer diagnosis. It was advanced and aggressive, she was extremely ill and the devastation of it all crumbled my world. Desperate for some sort of relief from the stress of being her full time caregiver, the deep sadness of watching her suffer, the terror of the unknown result of treatment and the utter helplessness, plus being a mom to a young child, a stressful job change for my husband, our friends/neighbours house burning down (we had been there for dinner just hours before it happened) and an allergic reaction that put me in the Emergency Room, effected my mental state to a point of "nervous breakdown." I, very randomly, started making jewelry as a creative outlet to escape, but also process, all of what was happening. Suddenly my mind and body had "self" purpose, not "taking care of everyone else" purpose, and joy and excitement started giving me balance. The distraction was incredibly therapeutic and very unintentionally launched my creative business journey. The Y in NIYIEM was, perhaps, the most pivotal of all the letters.”
What inspires you?
“I am passionately in love with modern architecture. The clean lines, mixed with restraint, mixed with intentional moments of boldness to create incredible beauty, is my most prevalent inspiration. I also enjoy saturated colour in the form of abstract art. I find the blend of architectural minimalism with the boldness of colour and texture deeply interesting and is at the forefront of what makes me excited to design and create.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I don't purse themes per say, but I do love to explore and include hints of current fashion trends. I am very conscious of the environmental impact my work can have and so I strive to create timeless, interesting pieces that go beyond trend and become wearable art that will be well loved for a long time. I want my wearers to feel excited about accessorizing, feel beautiful while wearing their pieces, confident in expressing themselves and secure in the quality of the jewelry. My hope is to show that understated jewelry can still have impact and doesn't always have to be neutral in the standard sense.”
“I am passionately in love with modern architecture. The clean lines, mixed with restraint, mixed with intentional moments of boldness to create incredible beauty, is my most prevalent inspiration.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work can best be described as modern, restrained, minimal but still bold and unlike anything most have seen before. Because I have an eclectic background I tend to not work in my mediums in the standard ways. I often think of them as other mediums and see if I can get them to conform to those techniques used elsewhere.”
Which artists influence you most?
“As I am most influenced by architecture, I often find my self enjoying the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. There is an approachable boldness in his designing that draws out connection and is still relevant many many years later. It is that intention that I most want to capture in my own designing.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is rather contradictory of itself as it includes states of complete calm and, also at times, chaos. In the calm moments while being half awake and half asleep uncontrollable pictures of jewelry pop up in my mind. They flood like visions. I often fully awake and run straight to the studio in my sleep wear. In contrast, in the chaos of having a full time studio, with off cuts strewn about, half finished projects, experiments and samples it is not uncommon for one thing the accidentally end up on another and the combination catches my eye. Perhaps it's a shape combination or how one is highlighted by the other, but it often sparks a new idea and that is where the experimenting comes in. I love pushing boundaries on expectation and how a material is expected to perform. Some of my favourite techniques have come from accidents that opened my thinking on that material.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“"Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future." Robert L. Peters
An artist's role in society is not just to express themselves, but is also to create something that speaks to people. This creates culture and community, which in turn, shapes values, which in turn, determines the future - the hope would be a bright future. Artists and Artisans have a very unique ability and opportunity to put ideas and physical items out that speak directly, but still leave room for, personal interpretation. This gives room for collaborative ideas and growth. As more and more people have more to say, I see the art community growing and so, as artists already in the community, we are to pass the understanding of the role on.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I am a very small town girl - as in raised on a remote island of 700 people that required two ferries to get to a bigger Island that still required another ferry to get to the main land. Then moved to "the city" with just 60,000 people. The moment my work was accepted in New York and began being chosen by accomplished stylists, ending up in magazines like Harper's Bazaar, In Style, Moevir, Gmaro and many more around the United States and far, from me, places like Paris, Spain and Brazil, it was surreal and, unexpectedly, an accomplishment that meant so much to my fellow small town companions as well.”
Styled photographs by Alena Kostromina.
Website: www.niyiem.ca
Instagram: @niyiemstudio
