“I’m a studio artist, an art jeweller,” says Grant Robinson to describe what can be understated as his hobby. A university professor with a PhD in Neuroscience, Robinson has another reputation that spreads through word-of-mouth — that of, creating jewellery. But there’s something unique about his pieces.
They move.
Robinson makes kinetic jewellery based on mechanical designs, often using springs and gears to produce movement. He begins by thinking of a toy, and works backward from there.
He claims that creating a design must not only be fun, but beautiful. Almost all of his clients are men who commission pieces as gifts for women. The ladies, on the other hand, usually approach him for miniature kinetic replicas of their pets.
Robinson’s goal is twofold: “to make [my jewellery] wearable and at the same time make somebody smile”. Whimsical, interactive and fun, his creations easily bring out the child of his wearers.
A lapel pin depicting a bottle and a glass may look simple, until you tilt the pin and the bottle starts pouring ‘wine’ (made of ruby) into the glass.
Press a pearl on a rhinoceros pendant, and see it dance on its coral and onyx legs. Or, watch the enamelled branches of the Tree of Knowledge Pendant bend as a golden snake slithers towards its base.
The pieces present a high level of craftsmanship, with most made from 18k yellow gold and formed through lost-wax casting, then adorned with semi-precious and precious stones and sometimes enamelled. Robinson, being a lapidary, even cuts the gems himself.
The key ingredient? Each piece must contain a surprise.
