Nestled in Between

8 x 2 x 1.3 cm

sterling silver, freshwater pearls

One of the recurring themes in Viyan's work is in-betweenness. Until now, she approached it as a state of disorientation - a feeling of not quite belonging, of hovering between destinations without a place to land. But with this piece, she is reconsidering that perspective, searching for something quieter, maybe even reassuring, within it. What if in-betweenness is not a place of constraint, but of possibility? Formed in sterling silver, these earrings carry an air of lightness. A pearl nestles between two opposing paths - not trapped, but comfortably at rest. It does not resist the space it occupies, nor does it rush to choose a direction. Instead, it settles into the in-between, recognizing the potential it holds. The lines of the earrings complement the natural contours of the face, with the downward-moving arms following the jawline. Extending both upward and downward along the ear, they make a subtle yet confident statement: Rather than something to endure, the in-between is something to embrace. To be between paths is to acknowledge that there are paths at all - that movement is possible, and options exist.

Viyan Petekkaya is a Kurdish artist with a focus on fine jewellery and metal objects, based in Canada. Her work, primarily non-representational, carries modernist influences and constructs a visual narrative that invites introspection and contemplation. She explores the challenge of translating abstract concepts into tangible forms, often resulting in sculptural pieces. Viyan holds a Jewellery Art & Design Diploma from Vancouver Community College and a Bachelor of International Economics from the University of British Columbia. After spending a decade in Vancouver, she relocated to Toronto in 2024 upon being accepted as a full-time Artist-in-Residence at Harbour front Centre. Her work has been showcased in exhibitions across North America, including Mineral Minded by the Society of North American Goldsmiths, an exhibition held during the annual Tucson Gem Show; Coming Up Next by the Alberta Craft Council; and The Earring Show by the Craft Council of British Columbia, where she was the Emerging Artist Category Winner. Viyan is a recipient of the Mountain Gems Artistic Achievement Award and the Craft Council of British Columbia's Emerging Artists in Contemporary Craft Award.