Peter Farrugia meets jeweller and silversmith Chris Castillo, whose noted work in London is set to make his mark in Malta.

Newly returned from his studies at the University for Creative Arts in London, Chris Castillo is ready to bring an eye for contemporary design to Malta’s jewellery industry.

Fine detail is important and I spend hours trying to get a piece right, and up to my standards

“I focused on silversmithing and jewellery,” says Castillo, “it was a very hands-on experience and coming up with innovative designs was crucial.”

Not only did he achieve first place in his course, Castillo was also runner-up for the prestigious Young Designer Silversmith award.

The competition, which can be entered once, saw 24 British universities compete for top place. Held under the auspices of the Goldsmiths’ Company responsible for hallmarking since the 1300s) the recognition has perfectly placed Castillo for a promising career.

His entry, an interactive vase, incorporates many of the aesthetic concerns closest to him – functionality paired with elegance, playing with lines, hollow and solid forms.

“I’m influenced by architecture,” says Castillo, “combining convex and concave shapes. What I really like is stuff that goes against the grain, trying something new.

“The pieces I produce are of their time but also outside it, timeless. And that is what I see architects doing today. Architecture is the great contemporary source, and designers are doing things now we’d never thought possible.”

Starting out at Mcast, where he took metalwork, Castillo says his teachers taught him the basics of using metal and wood, the techniques of product design on a small scale. All he learnt saw him in good stead when he went to UCA.

“Suddenly I got a lot of experience in thinking and designing. It is a very different sort of education there.”

Although a lot of his work is being shown around the UK, Castillo plans to set up shop in Malta.

While he has produced designs for fashion shows (including one large piece in silver) Castillosuggests that most of his creations would be best pairedwith cocktail wear – but there is something for every woman’s wardrobe.

“I like to consider the environment, the type of design that works best with a client in a particular setting,” he explains.

Talking about the materials he feels closest to, Castillo says he is not too keen on stones. He works in silver and titanium with some gold, likes it when a patina adds shadows and depth.

His work is always hand-finished. Castillo sees himself as reacting against mass produced items, a problem he identifies in the Maltese market.

“Jewellery in Malta tends to be the same, there is not enough innovation. I try not to look at other jewellery, I don’t want to be influenced in that way. I want to create something different, and that is what I want my line to look like eventually. Fine detail is important and I spend hours trying to get a piece right.”

Castillo has ideas about eventually incorporating Maltese elements into his creations, using filigree with rapid prototyping techniques. It is important that his work be presentable from all angles: “I don’t like things that only appeal from the front. It has got to have a 360 look. My girlfriend wears my work, it is made for people who have an eye for art.”

One thing that is immediately noticeable about Castillo – he doesn’t wear any jewellery himself!

“It gets in the way when I’m working at the bench. I don’t even wear a watch because it disrupts me. I like to spend hours on a piece and don’t want to be constantly reminded of the time.”

Eventually, he hopes to change the mentality around jewellery. “It should be seen as art, and life should be beautiful. I see work here in architecture and interior design, by people like Ruth Bianco and Vince Briffa, and it is exciting to see what they are achieving.”

Castillo also makes sculptures, using resin and mixed material. “In any art the concept is crucial,” he says, “and a good concept can be applied to all sorts of things.”

With items already for sale in London, Castillo sees his future line being presented to the public via a website. Clients will be able to see the products and set up a viewing, or commission pieces directly.

“It’s good to work with the designer so the client can besure where the product comes from and that the materials used aregenuine. The finished work will be completely unique.”

It is this combination of the best materials and consummate craftsmanship that makes Castillo distinguishable. In striving for the best, not only has the young designer achieved considerable acclaim but he’s perfectly placed to share that talent with fine work, suited to a contemporary audience.