Last week, I had the immense pleasure of visiting the extraordinary “Cartier” exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
As a contemporary abstract artist, my work often draws deep inspiration from archival jewels, historic craftsmanship, and colour palettes rooted in timeless elegance.
Experiencing Cartier’s world up close was not just a visual feast - it was a special reminder of how bold design, naturalistic beauty, and architectural influences can effortlessly transcend time.
A Special Encounter with a Longtime Muse
Among the dazzling displays, one encounter felt very personal: the iconic Tutti Frutti Necklace (also known as the Collier Hindou Necklace).
Last year, I had discovered this playful, vivid masterpiece through the pages of design books; it’s rows of emeralds, rubies, and sapphires inspiring my own works. Seeing this in person was an unexpected moment that brought my artistic journey full circle.
Grandeur, Power, and Architectural Elegance
Another unforgettable highlight was the legendary Patiala Necklace, commissioned by Maharaja Sir Bhupindra Singh in 1928.
This monumental piece, later restored by Cartier between 1999-2002, commands awe with its tiers of brilliant-cut diamonds, intricate lattice work with a dramatic centrepiece.
It is not merely a necklace - it is architecture worn on the body.
A statement of vision, legacy, and technical mastery.
As I stood before it, I recognised the resonance between this creation and my own artistic ethos:
the pursuit of grandeur, the commitment to fine layering, and the tension between monumental scale and delicate craftsmanship.
In my large-scale contemporary works, I similarly layer textures, reflective materials, and bold compositions to evoke that rare mix of opulence and soulfulness-qualities that can be felt as much as seen.
Time, Icons, and Legacy
The Cartier exhibition also offered intimate glimpses into history’s most stylish lives.
Seeing Jackie Kennedy’s Tank Watch - a symbol of her timeless sophistication—and Princess Margaret’s Rose Brooch was a moving experience.
These objects are not simply jewellery; they are living artefacts, holding the pulse of an era.
In much the same way, I strive to create paintings that feel like relics of both history and future pieces that evoke memory, emotion, and anticipation all at once.
Art that, like Cartier’s jewels, does not merely decorate but speaks.
From Atelier to Easel: A Shared Commitment to Craft
In my studio practice, detail, craftsmanship and storytelling are paramount.
I combine techniques that echo the richness of archival fine jewellery:
hand-layered pure gold leaf, iridescent pigments, gestural abstraction, and intricate surface textures that reveal themselves slowly over time.
Like the master artisans at Cartier, Bvlgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels - houses I often study through books and archives - I believe that every element should serve not just beauty, but emotion.
Each work I create seeks to captivate collectors for years to come: an evolving dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Legacy, Luxury & Art: A Shared Vision for the Future
This experience at the V&A has only deepened my passion for creating contemporary works that are both anchored in legacy and fearlessly forward-looking.
My paintings are created for those who seek refinement, grandeur, and timeless tranquility - values Cartier has embodied for generations.
Looking ahead, I am committed to one day fulfilling an ambition to collaborate with heritage houses like Cartier, whose commitment to artistry, innovation, and enduring emotion mirrors my own.
In a world that moves faster each day, the conversation between past and future, the quiet luxury of something made with love, time and imagination is more powerful than ever.
I believe the most beautiful creations are made to transcend time and be treasured for generations to come.
(Above: The overwhelming architectural scale above the entrance lobby of The V&A Museum)
(Above, my own images from the 'Cartier' exhibition and The Patiala Necklace: Exuding monumental scale and authority.)
(Above, Tutti Frutti Necklace (Collier Hindou) was a special surprise to see in person.)
(Above, a little take home souvenir from the exhibition including postcards of The Tutti Frutti Necklace and Princess Margaret's Rose Brooch)
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#ModernOpulence #JackieKennedy #PrincessMargaret
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#DubaiArtScene #LegacyAndInnovation #CartierArtistCollab
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