INSIGHT | Mangata
F: Mangata is an intriguing name, can you tell us more about the meaning of the word and what it represents for you?
M: Mangata is a Swedish word literally meaning ‘moon-road’. It’s the road-like reflection of moonlight on water. To me it represents our symbiotic relationship with nature and a reminder that these two can never be separated.
I’m influenced by the yin and yang philosophy of balance where opposite forces are actually complimentary. In my work this is represented in the form of mixing metal with organic materials, placing light with dark and incorporating rough textures with polished.
F: One of the things we admire most about Mangata is your ethical practices and your conscious decision to use recycled materials within your work. Can you tell us more about your use of sustainable materials and what specifically ignited your passion to produce this mindfully?
M: Because my work is so heavily influence by nature it is integral that my practice be sustainable. I made a conscious decision early on in my jewellery making to aim to be 100% sustainable. This not only includes using recycled metals but also my packaging, the chemicals I use in my studio and where I source gemstones and other materials. Recently I recovered a large piece of slate from an old pool table on the side of the road. I’m always drawn to things that are either discarded or overlooked and challenge myself to give them a new perspective.
F: Some of your jewellery pieces incorporate string which is a material we rarely see in our jewellery brands. What made you meld string with silver and are there any other combinations with found objects you’d like to explore?
M: I have been using string for many years now. It first began whilst I was living in Peru. I used to spend hours making these intricate neckpieces from woven string. This was the early days of my jewellery making and I then went on to study metalwork. Incorporating these two materials highlights their differences and always comes back to the harmony of yin and yang.
Another material I like to mix along side silver is slate because of its brutalist quality and contrast with silver.
F: We at Fallow are most inspired by nature and are constantly drawn to the textures and tactility of our surroundings. How does the natural landscape surrounding you impact your work?
M: I live on Victoria’s surf coast surrounded by beautiful beaches and bush land. I’m always foraging different stones and seaweeds from the shore and seedpods from the bush. This process helps me to connect in with my own experience of the interplay between humans and our natural environment.
