Where memory, art and craftsmanship come together
In the atelier, personal stories take a tangible form.
Each design begins with a fresh look at the person, their profile and the memories someone wishes to preserve.
The artist behind Portrait Urn
Nadia Gonegaï is a visual artist specialising in sculptural and monumental design.
After studying at the art academy in ’s-Hertogenbosch, she developed a distinctive visual language in which form, light and shadow are inseparable.
From her atelier in the Netherlands, she creates independent artworks, commissioned art and personal remembrance pieces.
“I want to do more than show what someone looked like. I want to create a form in which recognition, light and memory come together.”
A memory as the starting point
Every design begins with a personal story.
A face, a characteristic posture, a colour or a small detail can become the starting point for a piece that exists nowhere else.
This personal approach is visible in Portrait Urn and also underlies the other work created in the atelier.
Light as part of the artwork
Light reveals what is hidden within the form.
With Portrait Urn, the recognisable profile appears as a shadow on the wall. The urn and its shadow form a single artwork that changes throughout the day.
The portrait remains present without being continuously shown in a literal image.
Art and craftsmanship
From the first profile line to the final colour and finish, each Portrait Urn is carefully developed.
Designing, shaping, casting, sanding, refining and finishing: many stages are carried out by hand.
Each piece is therefore different, reflecting the care and craftsmanship involved.
A personal artwork, made especially for one remembrance.
Making together
Nadia works in collaboration with Lumiejére: a creative environment that brings together different people, talents and disciplines.
The studio, atelier and workshop each contribute their expertise to the making process. Together, they help transform a personal design into a carefully and professionally crafted piece.
Made in The Netherlands
Remembered around the world
Portrait Urns and Secret Jewels travel from the Netherlands to families in different parts of the world.
The languages and destinations vary. The wish remains the same: to keep someone you love close in a personal and recognisable way.
Discover the work
Explore the possibilities of Portrait Urn, or discover how a personal profile becomes a wearable Secret Jewel.
About Lumiejére
Nadia makes each Portrait Urn with the support of a team.
During the pandemic, she recognised her interns’ need for social connection and personal contact. Together with her husband Jurgen, she founded Lumiejére, a creative daytime programme focused on personal development.
Several young people at Lumiejére provide valued support throughout the making process.
Would you like to learn more about Lumiejére?