Manuel Martínez Contreras

Piwke chod

Silversmith

©Manuel Martinez Contreras

Urban pieces with ancestral influence

Manuel defines what he does as urban craftsmanship
For him, functionality is the most important aspect of his pieces
He is inspired by nature and native cultures of Chile

Manuel Martínez Contreras visited different regions of Chile, seeking to learn about its diverse cultures. The images he has captured in the places and the experience of touring them have nurtured his work and inspired him to create utilitarian objects with territorial identity. "I seek to establish in my proposals a dialogue between nature and daily rituals, such as food and clothing developed by the inhabitants of a community," he says. From the beginning goldsmithing was his craft, and along the way he incorporated the craft of wood carving to mix it with goldsmithing techniques. Manuel received several awards including the CIDAP Medal for International Design and Innovation in 2017 for his piece Bombilla para mate Lakfenche. That same year he won the seal of excellence for Chilean craftsmanship for the project Cucharas Lakfenche, spoons made of silver awarded by the Chilean Ministry of Culture. He also won the Award of Excellence for Artisans of the Southern Cone, for the project Spoons Forged in Silver, awarded by UNESCO in 2016. Manuel is currently a member of the Professional Association of Artisans of Chile AG.

Interview

©Manuel Martinez Contreras

©Manuel Martinez Contreras

Do you consider yourself more self-taught or did you have masters?: I am self-taught in essence, though over time I have crossed paths with teachers from whom I have taken the best. Sometimes, some of them did not realise they were being masters to me.
What was the first object you made?: It was a ring that was on the cover of U2's Achtung Baby album. I did that one my own way and it was cool. Maybe it is still alive out there somewhere.
How does your work reflect your observation of your surroundings?: I relate to the territory through observation: I take 120 mm analogue images and then generate objects through limited edition collections. The techniques I use are forging filigree and high-temperature welding.
Is your craft in danger?: Not at all. There is always someone, there is always something left in someone. The best artisans are born when someone just starts to make and create.

Manuel Martínez Contreras is a master artisan: he began his career in 1995 and he started teaching in 2001