Didi Suydam

Didi Suydam Contemporary

"I love working in metal, and my personal touch can be felt in each piece. I accent the body with sculptural forms and dimensional designs intended to complement or define the space. The relationship between the piece and the wearer is an intimate and personal one, conveying one's sense of self while reflecting confidence with grace."

Didi Suydam feels jewelry is like personal armor, exuding inner strength while protecting and anchoring us. Looking back to ancient cultures and architecture, she seeks the essence of form: the spirit, the balance, and the elemental. It is important for the piece to respond to the landscape of the body. Body ornamentation is a sensual experience—it is meant to be felt, to move, to embrace.

Suydam's one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces are hand fabricated in sterling silver and 18k bimetal. Using varying stakes, she forms her pieces from flat metal sheets, creating raised or hollow forms. For collections intended to be reproduced, she creates models out of wax or metal, hand carved and then cast. She may use an oxidized patina, gold plating, or a hand-sanded finish for a soft, satin effect.

Suydam received her BFA in jewelry/light metals from the Rhode Island School of Design. She spent a semester in Rome, which exposed her to medieval architecture and ancient art. Both still inform her work. While there, she painted and photographed, refining her eye. She also volunteered at a contemporary art gallery in New York, which influenced the minimalistic and sculptural approach to her work.

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