Jorge Lastra Art Gallery

When I came to the United States almost ten years ago with my family, I never imagined that I would find the total freedom to create and sell my jewelry and sculptures to the American public with such a good reception, which would also allow us to spend more time together as a family. While the beginning was not easy, but then everything changed when Smithsonian Enterprises began selling our jewelry line in their museum stores. At that moment I knew we were creating something truly special.

My artistic journey began in Chile, where my father taught me how to fuse glass in our backyard workshop. This early focus on art fueled my growth as a sculptor at the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Chile. In 2010, while living in vibrant Barcelona, Spain, we developed a signature jewelry line inspired by the city's architecture, using a miniature forging technique and homemade glass.

My creations are deeply inspired by Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Modernist styles, and bring home the elegance and spirit of Barcelona.  Each piece of handmade jewelry tells a story of design and art, and the positive reception we have received has been incredible. This recognition motivated me to explore my creativity further, which led me back to an old passion: creating sculptural boats from driftwood.

These works of art begin as cedar trees growing on pristine islands near Savannah, Georgia, where nature thrives in its purest form. The sea, sand, and rain all play a part in a process that, over the years, transforms these trees into driftwood. I travel by boat to these islands, carefully selecting each piece of wood for the intriguing story it tells. I clean and work each piece by hand, sealing its unique “fingerprints” to preserve them.

My boat sails are made from sheet metal that has been carefully oxidized using traditional patina techniques. Applying acids to the metal accelerates the natural oxidation process, creating extraordinary patterns and colors. In your hands, you hold a unique story inspired by nature, revealed by my hands.

This journey, which began with creating jewelry inspired by the architecture of Barcelona and evolved into sculpture, has allowed me to exhibit my work in galleries such as the Kessler Collection Gallery “Adrift” and the Charleston Grand Bohemian Gallery, the Eclipse Gallery art in Willmington in South Carolina and I currently have my own space at Lastra Art Gallery in Savannah.

Being nominated for Best of Georgia 2024 is a great honor and a reflection of the dedication and passion I put into every piece of art I create. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, especially for our beautiful team and for the support of those who have believed in my vision and work.