UNICITY
Each piece of jewelry created by Cathérine Rochtus is unique as she lets herself be inspired by the material. She finds herself in the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who said Panta Rhei, all flows, no man ever steps in the same river twice.
“No man ever steps in the same river twice.”
Right from the beginning I know what it has to become. In my head I got a whole collection of objets trouvés and when I see something, I immediately make matches.”
SIMPLICITY
Her jewelry reflects simplicity, back to the origins: the material. She leaves out what isn’t necessary in order to get to the essential. That’s how her oeuvre gets its strength. She likes to refer to the Japanese proverb that says
“You can only sleep on one tatami mat at a time”
This search for simplicity leads her to the earth, which is humble and rich at the same time. Gold for instance comes from the earth. “I want to handle gold with great respect. It’s so kind, for it gives you so many possibilities”.
“I hope there is a soul in my jewels”
In her oeuvre you will recognize her search for a pure form. Nonetheless she shall seldom make rigid work. Cathérine prefers to work with for instance old diamond cuts that feel warmer than the actual ones that are too calculated and seem almost indifferent. “I hope there is a soul in my jewels”, she adds.
OBJETS TROUVES
Whether it’s jewelry, ceramics or photography, Cathérine creates harmonious compositions. It all starts with collecting objects she finds on her way. In those moments she’s particularly sensitive to the intensity of these objects, to their story. These “objets trouvés” can in a harmonious compositions reinforce each other by the dialogue that emerges between the materials. In that way a certain magic (magis Latin for ‘more’) appears. The separate objects receive an added value by the whole, which tells us its own story, a richer one then the separate objects could have told. For instance she lets old and new encounter each other, or goes for a detail. Less is more.
CRAFTMANSHIP
“I’m not an artist,”
says Cathérine with some urge. Her oeuvre is a craft. She sees herself more as an artisan. Thanks to her craftsmanship, she can make even complex pieces: though they may seem simple at first glance, they are never simplistic. Her many years of experience in the George Cuyvers studio and the instructive encounters have increased her professional knowledge. With painter Toon Haenen she learned to look at things beyond the surface, to see the beauty of simplicity. From art collector Axel Vervoordt she learned to balance the power of harmony.
Het Kanaal Vervoordts project, where her atelier is located, is an inspiring location, where you’ll meet nice people – each with their own craft, but with the same harmonious energy. By the encounter of norbertine Staf Feyaerts, she discovered Zen Buddhism, to be aware of simplicity, to let go in order to see the preciousness of nature and mankind. Thanks to 30 years experience at the atelier of George Cuyvers she learned many different goldsmith techniques She is thankful for all these people and many others. Above all she’s thankful for her parents, her husband Thierry and two daughters Anaïs and Lisa. Her gratitude tells us something about her integrity. Refined and elegant, but knows very well what she wants and perfectionist.
Het Kanaal Vervoordts project, where her atelier is located, is an inspiring location, where you’ll meet nice people – each with their own craft, but with the same harmonious energy. By the encounter of norbertine Staf Feyaerts, she discovered Zen Buddhism, to be aware of simplicity, to let go in order to see the preciousness of nature and mankind. Thanks to 30 years experience at the atelier of George Cuyvers she learned many differenet goldsmith techniques She is thankful for all these people and many others. Above all she’s thankful for her parents, her husband Thierry and two daughters Anaïs and Lisa. Her gratitude tells us something about her integrity. Refined and elegant, but knows very well what she wants and perfectionist.