Jewelry Artist Tanel Veenre

I'm excited to offer you the third and last post in a mini-series on werable artists from Eastern Europe by introducing you to Tanel Veenre from Estonia, whose work has been shown in galleries around the world.

Tanel has been a freelance jewelry artist and fashion photographer since 1994. Currently, he is the design critic for “Eesti Päevaleht”, a major daily Estonian newspaper, and he teaches at the Estonian Academy of Arts. 

I was immediately hooked by the range of his work and the way he transforms common materials -- including fishing floats -- into fashionable pieces that just draw you in. Also, as you'll see in his comments and in the examples of his most recent work, he's a true 'artist' who follows his heart.

Please tell me about yourself – where you’re from, your education, background, or anything that can offer readers some insight about you, the artist.

I was born into an art and music loving family. My city grandfather played piano in cafes and accordion at home and my other grandfather played the Estonian zither. My father and brother are violinists. But I didn’t become a musician, even though I have an old piano and guitar in my current home. Instead, I have always been sure that being an artist is the only way for me. Undoubtful way.

I studied in the Estonian Academy of Arts jewelry department 1995-2005 with professor Kadri Mälk and did one year (1997-98) in the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam with Ruudt Peters.

At the moment, I am a teacher at the same academy in Tallinn and I love my students.

Neckpiece: Fishing floats, wood, silver, cosmic dust

What led to your interest in making jewelry?

Destiny, with its other nickname, 'chance'. I am still not sure what is jewelry.… I  sometimes feel that I can recognize a strong piece of art, I don’t see jewelry as a goal in itself. That’s why I have created lots of costumes, photos, objects and texts. These all are fragments of the same story.

Your work is a blend of beautiful and conceptual. Please tell me about your approach.

A strong piece of art is exciting. Excitement is a quality that comes into being upon the collapse of the quantifiable and measurable into the inexplicable and personal. And there should be a glimpse of mystery that comes … from the darkest mines of human souls.

So, I have to trust my intuition, there is no other way.

 




Brooch: Fishing floats, quartz, silver, cosmic dust

I’m taken with your most recent pieces, which are made with gorgeous colored ‘cosmic dust’. Can you tell me a little about what’s behind your use of cosmic dust?

Looking into the eternity of the sky – especially during a starry night – I feel this eternal longing. This is cosmic love. (Cosmic dust is superfine powder that reflects light. It's also used in medicine.)

Photographer: Lev Dolgachov

Please tell me about your plastic head and body jewelry. It's so different from anything that you've done before. Are you heading into fashion?

I did fashion when I was younger, but I was too weak in techniques and this whole fashion thing is just too limited and restricted by hype and market expectations. But I love good drama! I love the 'moth-effect' when I create something big just for 5 minutes in the limelight! It`s so dramatic, yet so bittersweet.

What inspired you to do the plastic head and body jewelry?

Symmetry, geometrical rhythms and pure forms. Many of them ended up as underwater creatures, but my aim wasn't so clear – there is so much mathematics in nature if you start to look at it from this angle. I have always been attracted by The Golden Section, divine geometry – as it appears in its purest form in nature. (Notice the headpiece worn by the model, above, and how it becomes a chandelier).

Below is stage jewelry in pink, red and violet that Tanel created for a fashion show with Liisi Eesmaa and Aldo Järvsoo.

What’s coming up for you this year and beyond?

Ooooohh … You know, I am already working 15 hours every day (and night) – teaching, writing, creating …. But at the moment I am working very strongly in two directions. Soon I will come out with a design jewelry series inspired by moths and nightflies. And I am working every day in my workshop with a series of regalias, precious objects that I will need to conquer in my own kingdom.

And please – don’t stop dreaming!

Tanel is an impressive artist, in the truest sense of the word. He has tremendous talent as a designer of jewelry and fashion, a clear eye for color, a willingness to experiment in different media, and an appreciation for the beauty and poetry that can be found in nature. You can see more of his fascinating work at Tanel Veenre.

Comments

[Sandi]

Hi Elena,

I'm glad that you like the cosmic dust - so do I! Aren't the colors gorgeous? It's fun to show off work from the Baltics - there are so many talented artists there!

Thanks again.

[Elena]

The mix of materials is really interesting,and I love the liberal use of cosmic dust! Thanks for sharing good work from the Baltic area!

[Envious Gems]

Tanel's pieces are gorgeous! It's almost a surreal style, which makes it really stand out.