Working with your hands is the oldest and most fundamental element of craft. Through the hands, one forges a physical connection to the materials they use and the product they create. This connection can be nurtured and transmitted to all those who buy or admire the crafts. In addition, handmade arts and crafts fundamentally support the artistic traditions and communities of a given place. Handmade is basically a way for artists and craftspeople to reach out and interact with buyers and art-lovers. Every piece is crafted with a care and love that is transmitted directly to those who procure or enjoy the pieces.
Michal Golan
1. I was born and raised in Israel and didn't move to the United States until my 20s.
2. Although my work is now in mosaic and jewelry design, my graduate and undergraduate training was in printmaking, graphic design, and painting.
3. Because my name, Michal, looks like the English version of the name "Michael," people often think I am a man. In reality, Michal is the Hebrew version of the name Michelle.
4. I find New York City, where I live, to be a great source of inspiration. The mix of colors, styles, and cultures all interacting and feeding off one another often translates into new and exciting ideas for my craft.
What got you started crafting?
I was always interested in art. For as long as I can remember, my main passion has been some form of art or craft. When I came to the United States for college and graduate school, it was clear that was the direction I would be going. Though I loved my studies in painting and printmaking, I was eager to use my hands in a variety of ways and I needed to find a way to support myself throughout my studies. Through a friend, I discovered that I could produce and sell jewelry at lower prices and to a wider market than paintings and prints. I also discovered that I loved making jewelry! By the time I finished graduate school, I was having so much fun supporting myself through jewelry-making that I devoted myself completely to my business, and the rest is history!
What is your source of inspiration?
My sources of inspiration are as varied as the different styles of work I produce. New York City is a wonderful place to craft and create because you are constantly exposed to so many shapes, colors, styles, and cultures. The diversity in people and in spaces is unbelievably rich. Beyond the city, I also travel regularly to Brazil, Israel, and Europe. The scenes I see both in cities and in nature fuel new ideas and themes in my work. Finally, my upbringing in Israel has had a profound effect on my aesthetic. In my work, I try to achieve a balance of antique and vintage styles, especially influenced by Victorian and Byzantine art, and contemporary design ranging from cubism to minimalism. The idea of layering time periods and aesthetics comes from growing up in Israel where the landscape is uniquely peppered with both ancient ruins from Roman, Arabic and Jewish cultures, and the contemporary structures that are being created everywhere.
What have you made recently?
Recently, I have been trying to combine my love of ceramic art with my jewelry-making by creating ceramic pendants and earrings. It has been an interesting experience because my work is generally cast in metal. Right now, I am still in the experimentation phase, but I am loving the results! The next step will be to experiment with embedding the clay pieces with semiprecious stones and other ornamentation.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
When I started my business, I would primarily sell my work at retail craft shows in the New York City area, as well as at artist stands. As my business grew and interest in my work developed, I transitioned to working primarily in wholesale. I would produce my work and sell it to various galleries, museum stores, and boutiques. This portion of my business is still the bread and butter of what I do, but, in a sense I have come full circle. Over the past few years I have opened two of my own retail store locations in New York City.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Working with your hands is the oldest and most fundamental element of craft. Through the hands, one forges a physical connection to the materials they use and the product they create. This connection can be nurtured and transmitted to all those who buy or admire the crafts. In addition, handmade arts and crafts fundamentally support the artistic traditions and communities of a given place. Handmade is basically a way for artists and craftspeople to reach out and interact with buyers and art-lovers. Every piece is crafted with a care and love that is transmitted directly to those who procure or enjoy the pieces.
Find Me
LocationNew York City
Email Address
Michal Golan
Personal Website
http://www.michalgolangallery.com
Store Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichalGolanJewelry
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michal-Golan-Jewelry