Kajal Ramrup
She/they
Hillsdale, NJ, USA
Kajal Ramrup is a designer specializing in mixed media jewelry using resin, silver, stainless steel, and freshwater pearl, combining organic and inorganic materials. Her work is sold at boutiques in Milan, New York, and Berlin.
“Kajal Ramrup is the designer of Planet K, a physical manifestation of imagined maximalism. She focuses on tension, contrast, and material to create visually striking pieces that combat society's trends, encouraging rebellion and unapologetic individuality inspired by the unbreakable spirit of marginalized people. Each piece pulls from different aesthetics to create a piece that evokes a harmony of haunting beauty that fights against complacency and minimalism. Every piece is one-of-one, allowing a strong, unique connection and experience for every individual.”
How does your creative practice reflect your experience of living and making as a BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ maker?
My creative practice reflects every identity I embody through the choices I make regarding material, form, and color. Being both BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+, as well as disabled, has allowed me to blend cultures that are not typically associated with each other due to societal taboos and discrimination. Instead of focusing on which idea will translate to which identity, I combined them all into one lexicon, letting them push and pull off of each to create tension and harmony. As someone who has remained mostly private about my identity, the pieces allow me to speak about my intersectional identity without having to utter words. I find that creating pieces with so many details, colors, shapes, and textures has given people a better understanding of my innermost thoughts as well as the references and inspirations for those thoughts. For me, the beauty of embodying these identities, is the ability to create pieces that draw from several sources of inspiration that become recognizable through the dissection of the piece.
"Innocence", Silver, vintage lace, stainless steel 14in x 2.5in x 3in
What techniques, stories, or materials have been passed down to you, and how are you reimagining them in the present?
The stories of my family and background have influenced my desire to create pieces that are inspired by nature, culture, individuality and tradition. The techniques I use to create my pieces are a combination of ancient and modern methods, allowing me to reference old ideas in my own voice and perspective. I enjoy pulling different icons, shapes, and ideas together, such as silver and steel in combination with resin to create pieces that honor the jewelry and craft that has come before me, with an emphasis on my personal style through color choice of red, black, and clear, as well as form choices such as hearts and lollipops. None of these ideas individually are new or original. However, the combination of these materials with my own point of view is what results in pieces that are truly honor the past in a reimagined way.
"Junk Drawer", Resin, stainless steel, found metal findings, pendant: 3in x 5in x 4.5in, with chain: 3in x 20in x 4.5inHow does your work honor those who came before you while forging new pathways for the future?
My work is a living representation of those who came before me because of the ability and visibility my pieces have gained through the opportunities of community and technology. Those who came before never had the opportunities or ability to create and showcase jewelry and a jewelry brand in the same way that I can, and that is why I take care to make sure my pieces highlight my own personal insights but also the ideas of those who inspire me and provide me with the foundation to create my work. With a strong foundation of community and family, I have thrown myself into my work and exploration of materials in contexts that have not been realized before, as it allows me to recognize the sacrifices of my family, especially the women in my family have made, so I can pursue design and art in a comfortable manner.
"Becoming II", Silver, freshwater pearl, resin, 19" x 6" x 4.5"
Photographs Courtesy of the Artist