“If I’m being honest, I fell into jewellery by accident,” the young talent admitted.
And we’re glad she did because she’s good.
In fact, she’s one of the best in the state.
Earlier this year, Ms Prinzi was awarded the Future Leaders Award at Craft’s annual showcase of Victoria’s finest emerging craft practitioners.
Held since 1993, Craft’s annual Fresh! exhibition program showcases the energy, skill and innovation of some of the best graduating students from throughout the state practising within craft, design and fine art disciplines.
Running from February 2 to March 10, the event’s 25th edition exhibited works by 13 recently graduated students in Victoria.
The participants were selected by a judging panel who attended graduate exhibitions of over 30 departments within Tertiary and TAFE institutions.
Ms Prinzi was among those 13 rising stars.
Dr Helen Sykes AM granted Ms Prinzi the award – which came with an impressive cash prize of $1000 – for her artwork ‘Untitled’ from the ‘Oceana Chromophilia’ series.
“It was definitely a nice surprise to be selected as a finalist, amongst so many other incredible students, and to have won the award,” she said.
“It was a wonderful way to end a year of hard work.”
Ms Prinzi’s award-winning work comprised wearable pieces which she made last year while completing her Honours degree at RMIT, specialising in Gold and Silversmithing.
The collection consisted of vibrant neckpieces made out of several different materials which she hand-cut, layered and constructed into wearable objects.
“My work references both the natural and urban environments,” Ms Prinzi said.
“The pieces aim to capture the energy and vibrancy of graffiti together with shapes and forms inspired by nature. The shapes featured in these neckpieces are taken from coral formations, explored in an abstract manner.”
When questioned as to what sort of person would wear her jewellery, the young artist’s response was simple: “Everyone”.
“It helps that they are abstract, so they allow people to use their imagination and project onto the pieces their own thoughts and ideas,” she added.
“The fact that I purposefully use colour excessively may make you think that it takes an outgoing and colourful person to wear the pieces but this is not the case. My pieces aim to evoke a sense of joy and happiness through colour and I hope that everyone would be open to wearing them.”
Ms Prinzi has always been fascinated by how wearable art – like jewellery – can be a powerful form of self-expression.
Despite this, she never expected to be granted the opportunity to study jewellery making and go on to create award-winning masterpieces.
Following her recent success, Ms Prinzi is currently working on new designs and making pieces to sell, with the aim of eventually developing her own business.
In the “very near future”, she also hopes to travel, working overseas and undertaking artist residencies.
With a father hailing from Viggiano, in Basilicata, and maternal grandparents from the neighbouring town of Marsicovetere, it may just be that Ms Prinzi’s talent takes her back to her Italian roots.
After all, Italy is home to some of the world’s finest design and craftsmanship, and we feel Ms Prinzi would be quite at home there.
