Anna Balasoglou
Anna Balasoglou has thirty years experience creating contemporary jewellery and accessories. She has built a reputation based on her ability to transgress trends and create original, striking and versatile designs. Anna’s jewellery has been sought after by the likes of Karen Walker, Helen Cherry, Denise L’Estrange-Corbet and Elizabeth Findlay. Her work has been featured in magazines and newspapers as well as in commercials and television programmes such as 'Zena' and 'Hercules'. Anna has exhibited in many galleries throughout New Zealand and has been a part of many shows.
Anna claims an ancestry that goes back to Alexander the Great. Anna was born in Wellington, New Zealand and her immigrant parents were from Eastern Europe. Her lineage includes Turkish Greek, Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian and Romanian blood.
"Design and recycling are important to me as is my New Zealand-ness. I have explored Maori culture and now I'm drawn towards the white man in New Zealand hence my 'Trophy' work inspired by Stag Spooner, folk artist and hunter, who lived in the Wairarapa where I now live.I am a passionate artist and am never fully satisfied. I tend to have several ranges going at once. Some I leave as they are and some of them keep growing, and in search of something new I am often led down a new road altogether.At present I am interested in using semi-precious stones in precious and not-so-precious metals and plating them to make them new again."
Anna claims an ancestry that goes back to Alexander the Great. Anna was born in Wellington, New Zealand and her immigrant parents were from Eastern Europe. Her lineage includes Turkish Greek, Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian and Romanian blood.
"Design and recycling are important to me as is my New Zealand-ness. I have explored Maori culture and now I'm drawn towards the white man in New Zealand hence my 'Trophy' work inspired by Stag Spooner, folk artist and hunter, who lived in the Wairarapa where I now live.I am a passionate artist and am never fully satisfied. I tend to have several ranges going at once. Some I leave as they are and some of them keep growing, and in search of something new I am often led down a new road altogether.At present I am interested in using semi-precious stones in precious and not-so-precious metals and plating them to make them new again."