Jewelry Trunk Show spotlight: Nina Zabal
This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 14–16, SCAD Fashion hosts the annual SCAD Jewelry Trunk Show. The virtual marketplace allows collectors, aficionados, and friends of fashion to shop a stunning array of work representing diverse materials, processes, and aesthetics. Department chair Jay H. Song (M.F.A., jewelry, 2000), emphasizes makers who utilize a combination of traditional techniques with up-to-date technology, including Rhino 3D CAD software, ZBrush digital sculpture tools, and laser-welding and laser-cutting.
“SCAD jewelry students and alumni embrace unique circumstances to find innovative solutions,” Song says.
Alumna Cinthya Cuba de Zabal (M.A., jewelry, 2008) is one of the 28 total students, faculty, and alumni whose work will be featured in this year’s show. The Mexican-born artist and designer behind Nina Zabal LLC, Cinthya is known for the clean lines and modern shapes of her exuberantly colorful and fun jewelry made from polymer clay. While a SCAD graduate student, she was awarded First Place in Art Jewelry and Best in Show at the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association annual student design competition in Atlanta.
Nina Zabal jewelry is sold in venues including the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Quirk Gallery, Richmond, and now at SCAD Jewelry Trunk Show 2021.
Cinthya Cuba de Zabal:
My fine art and graphic design background informs much of my work. Jewelry is a three-dimensional expression of my personal aesthetic and my love for color, shape, and pattern. My inspiration draws from art, illustration, fashion, and interior design. Every one-of-kind Nina Zabal piece is crafted in Richmond, Virginia.
Polymer clay is an amazing versatile alternative material that has been around for decades and made a more contemporary comeback in the past five-to-seven years. It cures at a very low temperature (275°F) and is produced in qualities from hobby grade to professional. My work is almost completely polymer clay, with a few metal components such as titanium or gold-filled or plated elements.
I work in collections or series that have different vibes and styles. The patterns I create are all clay, not painted, although I see the process very much like painting with clay.
Polymer clay is a very affordable alternative material. Part of my commitment to it is to heighten its creative value regardless of its relative affordability. It is different than working with gold or silver, materials that in their raw state are valued at thousands of dollars per ounce before a jewelry artist even touches them. Polymer clay jewelry is mostly about what you can make with it and how well you can master those materials.
There are only a few other serious polymer clay artists in the U.S., like Ford/Forlano, and Kathleen Dustin, who work tirelessly to raise the profile of polymer clay. I do my best every day to master this incredible material and to execute pieces that are flawless and exciting to wear. With my current work I’ve created pieces that were technically more challenging, and also exciting for people who truly love and appreciate fashion and design.
I’m always happy to participate in the events that are part of SCAD Fashion, both when I was a masters student and now that I’m a designer and maker on my own. The SCAD community has always embraced my work, and it is a pleasure to participate in Jewelry Trunk Show 2021.
