Gemma Lucas

Gemma Lucas is an experimental embroiderer and creator of contemporary jewel inspired samples.
From a young age she formed a passion for precious and non-precious stones alongside precious metals.

‘Golden Exotics’ takes inspiration from foreign and historic jewelled archives displayed at the Beyond El Dorado: power and gold in ancient Colombia exhibition, the Sutton Hoo exhibition and the Egyptian archives within the British Museum. The vibrant colours are inspired by Matthew Williamson’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection and Gustav Klimt’s gold colour palettes.

The semi-circles are linked to Egyptian sun disc hieroglyphs, and beetle wings symbolising superstitious beliefs associated with Egyptian scarab beetles. The use of silky threads is inspired by feather headdresses from the Beyond El Dorado exhibition, whilst he square layout and square shaped stones are inspired by geometric Celtic knot work.

“This course has allowed me to follow my passion and specialise in beadwork.”