Fabienne Mathot’s jewellery-making has its roots in China. Although she learnt her practical skills in Holland, it was in Shenzen that Fabienne learnt about pearls from a stall-holder called Judy. “I was at her side for hours, sitting on a stool in her kiosk, surrounded by her pearls with her teaching me,” Fabienne said. “You can train your eye to be able to recognise at one glance the difference between real and fake pearls.”
Pearls remain a favourite material for Fabienne, although her current exhibition – her first – shows pieces that also incorporate Omani silver, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals. She has produced necklaces in a variety of styles – alongside the twinkly, delicate strands of crystals are big, bold collars of stones and long ropes of pearls interspersed with silver.
The 50 or so necklaces, bracelets and earrings at Bait al Baranda until February 3, which are displayed alongside collages and paintings by Claire Fréor-Humphreys, have been put together over the last year or so.
Jewellery-making began as a hobby in 2005, when Fabienne was in Holland wearing her creations and giving them to friends as presents. Latterly Oman, with its traditional silver jewellery, has shaped her designs, which are also available at Eastern Mirage in Jawaharat A’Shatti.
“I try to make my designs classic but still innovative. Here there is a lot of sunlight; if you wear a necklace with some crystals on a t-shirt, it catches the light and is so beautiful. It brightens the day. “I am inspired by colours – even in nature here there are those pretty pastel colours. Some Omani women wear the traditional tunic and trousers in wonderful colour combinations. I guess I’m look-ing at everything around me.”
She and her family have lived in Oman for three years, although Fabienne herself is a long-time expatriate. Belgian by birth, she lived in Iraq, Sharjah and Africa as a child, and is currently on her second stint in Oman, the first having taken place in 2001 before she went to China. Even after three years in Muscat, the allure of the Chinese pearls remains – today Fabienne sources cultured pearls shipped from Hong Kong in Dubai.
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