JABBI DELAHAYEARTIST · NOTTINGHAMCollect & commission
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JABBI DELAHAYE · DIGITAL ARTWORK

The Sovereign Within

I wanted the quiet presence of a face with closed eyes to hold its own within the richness of a jewelled crown and collar. Bronze, gold and coloured stones become a way of exploring dignity, inner strength and the care of craftsmanship.

The Sovereign Within: the selected front view, a satin bronze-toned bust with closed eyes, an elaborate gemstone crown, emerald earrings and jewelled collar
The selected frontal master · View full image ↗

SECOND VERSION

The Sovereign Within — Version Two

The Sovereign Within — Version Two: a serene dark-skinned face with closed eyes, green gemstone crown and collar, intricate gold settings and blue star cabochons
The Sovereign Within — Version Two · View full image

A second, artist-directed, AI-assisted digital interpretation, with refined gemstone reflections and gold settings.

Explore the ideas behind Version Two

These articles and listening and viewing collections share the craft traditions and artistic questions I am exploring through this interpretation.

Artist statement

The Standard of the Hand

FORM FROM ANOTHER ANGLE

Around the bust

Three-quarter view of the whole jewelled bronze-toned bust

Three-quarter view

I wanted to explore the whole bust from a three-quarter angle, holding onto the closed eyes, the quiet expression and the relationship between the face and its ornament.

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Imagined full rear view showing the crown, bronze nape, collar and bust base

Rear view

I imagined how the crown and collar might continue around the back, giving the work a sense of presence from every direction. This view interprets a rear that was not defined in the frontal master.

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FOUR MACRO STUDIES

An invitation to look closely

I chose these four studies to bring the intricacy of the ornament and the emotional stillness of the face into closer conversation.

Macro study of the crown’s dark opal centre, pink sapphire surround and goldwork

The crown · depth and intricacy

I wanted to highlight the dark opal’s inner complexity, the tenderness of its pink sapphire surround and the intricate goldwork. Here, a single setting carries the care I wanted to bring to the whole crown.

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Macro study of closed bronze eyelids, facial contours and satin highlights

The closed eyes · quiet strength

I brought the closed eyes and bronze finish into focus to show where the emotion of the piece rests. I wanted the gentle contours and restrained highlights to suggest reflection, dignity and quiet inner strength.

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Macro study of a green emerald drop and its gold setting beside the bronze face

The emerald earring · renewal

I isolated the emerald drop to draw attention to its green depth and the gold setting that holds it. For me, emerald carries renewal: a small suggestion of life beside the stillness of the face.

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Macro study of the collar’s central dark opal, coloured gemstone surrounds and gold details

The collar · a language of stones

I wanted to show how the central dark opal and surrounding gemstones work together within the collar. The density of colour and detail matters to me because each stone contributes to the symbolic and emotional presence of the bust.

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IN MY OWN WORDS

The Standard of the Hand

My admiration for master bronze sculptors, goldsmiths and jewellers shaped this piece. I write about Fabergé’s influence, the houses I am exploring as craft reference points, and the meanings I give to lapis lazuli, emerald, dark opal, pink sapphire and ruby.

Read the full article →

In The Art of Precious Detail, I explore the five jewellery houses and the craftsmanship I am looking towards.

In The Hands Behind the Jewels, I turn to Cellini, Lalique and the individual makers whose work brings craftsmanship into focus.