SWEDA X JET MARTINEZ 'ROSITA'
Jet Martinez, a lifelong Oakland-based artist, is well known for redefining Mexican folk art into contemporary spin that’s displayed in both extensive murals and fine art. He starts with a traditional representation and then integrates his own images into the work. Though flat and graphically stylized, these static images are brought to life through Jet’s vibrant color combinations. Our first encounter with Jet Martinez was when he visited Indonesia to carry out a mural residency project with the art collective from the USA. The project collaborates with some of our good friends in Yogyakarta that exercise mural art.
He dropped by our studio and saw the process of our production. Then, he asked us to make a unique and memorable ring from Yogyakarta. The idea turned out to be the Gunungan wayang (puppet) symbol that represents this city. During the process, Jet followed each and every step of his ring and eagerly waited. Finally, the ring was finished in one day and Jet could take the ring home.
After that, we discussed collaboration with Jet to make a limited edition ring with his caratersitic flower that he always draws. This project went very smoothly and is widely collected by Jet lovers and Jet collectors because this ring is like representing the character of Jet which is often found on mural or canvas walls in the form of jewelry, namely a ring that can be worn every day and carried everywhere. We called the ring “Rosita”, because the visual depicts the Rosita flower with a Jet artwork style approach. And we really appreciate this project because this project was born from the friendship connections that we have.
Long story short, we talked about collaboration with Jet to make a limited edition ring with his typical flower that he always draws. The project went great and is widely collected by Jet supporters and collectors. This ring offers something valuable in terms of representing Jet's character by turning his character, that’s usually found on mural walls or canvas, into a ring that can be worn everyday and carried everywhere. We called the ring ‘Rosita’, because the visual depicts the Rosita flower with Jet’s artwork style approach.
