About Barbara Jardine M.A. RCA
We are proud to showcase a curated selection of gorgeous jewellery by renowned Trinidadian artist-jeweller, Barbara Jardine. Her exclusive 'Grand Cayman' collection features exquisite urchin pieces inlaid with bright colors and embellished with semi-precious and precious stones.
Born in Trinidad in 1951, she attended London’s Central School of Art and Design, specialising in jewellery design. She went on to do a master’s degree at the Royal College of Art where she graduated in 1974, receiving the Anstruther Prize as student of the year.
In 1982, “The Warrior”, a bracelet carved from ebony and inlaid with iridescent beetle wings, silver and tourmalines from her RCA degree show, was purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum for their permanent collection of contemporary jewels.
In 1974 Barbara returned to her birthplace, Trinidad, which has been pivotal to the distinctive development of her craft.
Over the years she has become best known for her collectable, hand-fabricated jewels and objects. Precious metals and stones are integrated with organic, ethically sourced materials such as beetle wings, turtle shell, black coral, feathers and wood, as well as resins and pigments—all carefully selected for their qualities of colour, translucency or texture. Innovative carving and inlay skills have evolved within the taut framework of traditional techniques.
Ingenuity, imagination, and the influence of her sensual tropical surroundings combine with these diverse elements to create miniature works of art of enormous visual and emotional impact.
Barbara presently lives in Port of Spain where she exhibits regularly and works on private commissions.
