Georgiy Marinichenko from Karagandy makes unique jewellery in ethnic style, reflecting Kazakh national motifs. A construction worker by profession, he was so obsessed with the art that he turned his erstwhile hobby into his life’s work. It all started 13 years ago, three of which the craftsman devoted to making jewellery that depicts national folklore, ornamental traditions and motifs. As Georgiy admits, he mastered and perfected all the jewellery skills himself.
“I started making my first works in the national style three years ago. These were earrings, rings with engravings, where I depicted scenes of Kazakh lifestyle. One of them depicts that unity of the Kazakh people is the key for the nation to survive and succeed. It is great that it still remains in tradition, it has not been forgotten, and I’m trying to show it with my jewellery. The Kazakh people are my people, because I was born here. I’m interested in plunging and understanding the spirit and traditions of the steppes deeply, not superficially,” the jeweller said.
It takes Georgiy a month or more to go from an idea to making a piece of jewellery. He uses only natural and domestic materials in his works. He travels a lot around the country for this purpose.
“I use wood in my works, particularly elm, because according to tradition, this is a noble tree, which is considered sacred in the culture of the Kazakh people. A certain type of elm tree grows only in Kazakhstan. I use cow bone as well, since bone, horn, wood, stone, metal, leather were also often used in the culture of the Kazakh people. The stones I use I also take in Kazakhstan, because I am engaged in the extraction of stones,” Marinichenko added.
Rings, bracelets, pendants made in Kazakhstan are highly valued overseas. Georgiy Marinichenko’s works are worn by female fashion lovers in the US, France, South Africa and the UK. The craftsman plans to make completely new jewellery, however, they will still carry the ancient culture of the nomads of the Great Steppe.
Translation by Saniya Sakenova
Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova
Web-editor: Admin
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