The artists profile by Yael Reisner
Inca Starzinsky is a London-based artist and designer. Originally a graphic designer, after graduation from Central St Martins she spent 5 years as artist-in-residence in their printmaking department. A desire to apply her print practice to three-dimensional objects led her to pursue a Masters in Printed Textiles at the Royal College of Art.
However, after graduation from the RCA, she wasn’t seeking a career as a textile designer in the fashion or interior industry but wanted to make work under her own name; work that would incorporate her background and knowledge from graphics, screen printing and textiles. And, after exploring different routes over several years, she settled on jewellery making.
In 2019 she began a three-year part-time course at K2 Jewellery Academy in London. Her focus was on finding a way to realise her designs and love for paint and colour in sculptural forms.
Inca designs and makes contemporary jewellery from her studio in East London.
The trigers to become an artist
I grew up in a creative household. My father was a glass sculptor, art was all around me, sculptures, paintings and prints. Drawing, painting and making was something I always did and loved, and basically I never stopped. I always felt the most comfortable in that world. I can express myself the best through art.
I’ve worked in many different disciplines – graphic design, printmaking, textiles and now jewellery. For me they all belong together. My jewellery could equally become a dress, a screen print on paper, or a large sculpture in a garden, whatever its most appropriate expression is.
I’ve worked in many different disciplines – graphic design, printmaking, textiles and now jewellery. For me they all belong together.
Inca Starzinsky
Environmental Concerns
Coming from a design and textile background, Inca understands the far-reaching environmental impact from these industries. For her it was important in her own work to avoid this.
Not wanting to be part of a fashion industry creating mass-produced products destined for landfill, she decided to make work which is not dictated by trend and would last. Inca’s jewellery is handmade and each piece is a unique piece of art. Some pieces are personal to the wearer, to be kept by the owner forever and hopefully passed on.
