two souls, one meaning: monica varela’s multigenerational tribute combines jewelry and art

‘Forma y Vacío’ THE NEW COLLECTION BY MoNICA VARELA

Art and design merge in the new collection of Monica Varela Jewelry, where the Dominican designer makes a tribute to artist Fernando Varela. This unique collection not only reflects the talent of two great creatives but also encapsulates the complicity between father and daughter whose work has developed around mutual inspiration. Inspired by the visual artist’s renowned ‘Forma y Vacío’ (Form and Void) series, the collection possesses a sculptural value that weaves together stories, forming a visual narrative of Varela’s heritage and the harmony between tradition and modernity. Each piece of the emotional collection — which takes up the name ‘Forma y Vacío’ — transcends the barriers of time and discipline, telling the story of two creative souls united by a shared vision.

images courtesy of Monica Varela Jewelry

TRIBUTE, LEGACY, AND impact

The ‘Forma y Vacío’ collection takes up the synergy between two creative minds, united by family and artistic ties. The work of Fernando Varela, an artist born in Uruguay in 1951, has explored different philosophical themes through various disciplines, such as painting, sculpture, and installation, creating a deep imprint on the Latin American art scene. Perhaps his most recognized series is the renowned ‘Forma y Vacío’ (Form and Void), where the repetition of two geometries dominates the canvases and sculptures. The figures show a geometry with the cutout of a missing shape, a void in the center, this shape is manifested next to it, contrasting the presence and lack of matter, emulating a unity. This figure, a constant recurring theme in Fernando’s work, is nothing else than the representation of a cutout given to him by his daughter, Monica, when she was a child.

After almost three years of constant work, mutual feedback, and synergy between both Varelas, ‘Forma y Vacío’ by Monica Varela Jewelry was born. In this special collection, the Dominican firm presents fourteen pieces that celebrate the complicity of this cutout, which through both trajectories has been transformed into art and design. In this way, the universe of the Dominican brand expands, allowing art connoisseurs to wear these works through jewelry.

design that encapsulates stories and conveys a legacy

The pieces that compose the ‘Form and Void’ collection transcend the category of accessory by presenting themselves as works of art made of 925 sterling silver with an 18-karat gold or rhodium plating in microns. More than accessories, the designer created pieces that intertwine stories and form a visual narrative about her creative legacy. Without straying from the brand’s DNA, Mónica Varela resorts to the repetition of abstract forms, adding a sculptural dimension to her designs. The figures are arranged in a specific way in each piece, to transform the voids into links as in the Tribute Necklace chain, while in the Heritage Choker and Heritage Cuff, the shapes and voids consolidate a fabric that responds to light by producing sparkles.

Like any other piece of the brand, each piece of jewelry in this collection becomes an extension of the wearer and seeks to generate bonds by sharing stories in a timeless way. As an additional element, the Monica Varela Jewelry team developed a special packaging for ‘Forma y Vacío’, which includes an authenticity card. This element offers a different shopping experience, distinguishing the value of each piece as a work of art.

The pre-launch of ‘Forma y Vacío’ took place through an exclusive event, where guests were allowed to try them on with the guidance and assistance of MVassadors. The space was named ‘The Legacy Room’, alluding to the legacy of two great creatives and celebrating the magnificent tribute that commemorates it.

Mónica Varela transforms the voids into links, as in the Tribute Necklace chain

the designer created pieces that intertwine stories and form a visual narrative about her creative legacy

the collection encapsulates the complicity between two creatives whose work developed around mutual inspiration

project info:

title: ‘Forma y Vacío’ (Form and Void)

design: Monica Varela Jewelry – Fernando Varela

year: 2023