Ramingo Lab: Sofia Visca and her nature-inspired jewelry

Sofia Visca is a young and talented soul who crafts jewelry that is minimalist, refined, and with organic shapes. She has added a positive note to this city and today I want to introduce her to you.

Here below, our brief conversation.

1) Sofia, tell us a little something about yourself.

I was born in 1996 in Milan, where I grew up and attended art school. Once finished high school, I started going to different goldsmith and jewelry-making classes and obtained a diploma in lost wax, goldsmithing and gemology at the Scuola Orafa Ambrosiana. I then did several internships, among which the most important was at Pomellato. Having had all those experiences, I was feeling sufficiently confident to begin my own journey and I started my brand Ramingo Lab and opened my first workshop in Venice.

2) Lost wax. How did you start this adventure?

I had encountered this technique during my studies. In those years I experiemented with a variety of techniques, such as chiseling, engraving, setting but I eventually focused on lost wax because it is the technique most close to sculpture, a form of art that has always interested me. I had started sculpting with crete years before and lost wax enabled me to create micro sculptures. Besides, lost wax itself offers the possibility to work with different methods depending on the type of wax one uses, so I practiced with hard wax (carving), then soft wax by hand and then orthodontic wax, whereas now I am working a lot with natural waxes, in particular with beeswax.

3) Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes mainly from nature. I have noticed that I am naturally drawn towards peace and calmness, emotions I find when I observe nature. My jewelry recreates organic shapes in a balanced way, I make jewelry that highlights but never imposes itself or takes over the person. Jewelry that adds light and enhances, but that is never excessive.

4) Venice. Why have you chosen to live and work in this city.

I had lived in Venice for a year when I was at school, hosted by family friends. I had fallen in love with its aquatic aspect and with its peacefulness and slowness, so different from Milan.

5) Any past, present or future project you would like to share with us?

Yes, the creation of jewels made with beeswax collected along the lagoon's barene (marshlands) with the beekeeper Andrea Apicoltura Restante. My goal is to create symbolic jewels, transforming a soft and malleable matter such as wax into something hard like metal in order to enhance the importance of preserving the flora of the lagoon, the importance of bees for the environment and the work of beekeepers.

6) Your long-cherished dream?

To meet, collaborate and create an artistic team with other like-minded professionals. I believe that the key to happiness is sharing and being with others and establishing human connections, something that in today's world we cannot take for granted.

In fact, the name Ramingo is the name of a bird that flies from branch to branch and is unable to remain still... and this is how I want to see my profession. An-ongoing growth, an on-going journey, to approach with open mindedness and heart.

7) About a year ago you opened your shop together with potter Valentina VS Ceramics. How did this project start and how is it going?

I met Valentina during an artisan market and immediately fell in love with her work. We got on from the start because both our research is based on the Venice lagoon and its environment, and our objects interact with the surrounding space in a gentle way.

The experience is going well, collaborating is always positive, helping one another a win-win. I am delighted and grateful for what I have now and knowing that I can share worries and joys with another human being makes me feel enriched.

I am always so happy when someone from another city decides to move here and contribute to keeping it alive. Sofia's work is subtle and delicate, exactly like her. You can visit her and discover her creations in her shop in Santa Maria Formosa or follow her on her channels :) Thank you for reading and supporting local business.

Ramingo Lab Address: Castello, Fondamenta dei Preti 5844, Venezia Website: https://www.ramingolab.it/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramingo_lab/