Syann van Niftrik
Syann van Niftrik, born in South Africa, started out as a ceramic artist, working on tile designs and architectural murals. When she moved to the Netherlands in 1971, she shifted her attention towards jewellery design, before setting up her first UK studio in 1979.
Syann is widely exhibited and is established as a designer-maker of great quality. As well as mentoring students from Edinburgh School of Art, Central St. Martin’s and the Bournemouth Institute, she also acts as a guest lecturer on the BA Jewellery course at Central St. Martin's.
Her pieces rely on simple forms and tactile appeal, drawing from but not directly representing the environment around her. Her simple form allows for a freedom of her subconscious and a response to the viewer to also shape the work. This combines with the need for the piece to sit on and move comfortably with the body of the wearer to create her unique design style.