Coming soon to the Phoenix Art Gallery is The Yarla Collection, featuring the works of artist and medical graduate Kiranmai Yarlagadda.

Kiran handcrafts intricate pieces of fine art jewelery in limited edition sets. Exhibiting several times in the past in group exhibitions, Kiran’s first solo show will debut at The phoenix Art Gallery on October 19. Kiran balances many roles in her busy life. She’s a mother, wife, medical graduate working at the new jersey medical school, as well as an artist. [starpower]* got the chance to speak with her before her show debuts.

[SP]*: Tell us a little bit about your artwork.

Kiran: Kiran Yarla Collections, designed and owned by myself is invented with a concept inspired from nature, and making one-of a kind hand made jewelry using precious and semi-precious stones as well as fine metals: pure silver, gold-filled copper and brass. Each piece is designed with a passion and love for art. Once completed, each piece waits patiently to find a home with the same kind of love and passion felt as when the pieces were made.

I also enjoy sharing my love for creating jewelery with my daughter. She has actually had the opportunity to exhibit alongside with me once. I want her teach her something with significance, and that requires patience, concentration, and focus. I want to encourage her creatively, because that is something I never had as a child.

[SP*]: How long have you been an artist or creative?

Kiran: I have always been creative since childhood but only recently professionally. Growing up, my parents did not allow me to be creative. So, every summer I would do a small project that I could do from available material at home with very minimal purchases.

[SP*]: Some say that is the true mark of an artist, the inherent drive to create.

Kiran: Making jewelry provides many outlets for me. Its my time off from everything, every thought and every other duty. It’s my time along to reflect on myself, my day, my thoughts, what’s happening, and what to do. It’s an opportunity for me to combine my varied interests in art, the medical profession, and my love for history and culture.

[SP]*: Do you have any other jobs besides that of being an artist?

Kiran: I am a medical graduate, wife, and mother.

[SP]*: What inspires you?

I get inspired from lot of things- nature, religion, and community. I’m interested in exploring these concepts in the jewelery that I create. I’m inspired by all humans beings, regardless of the religion and the ability to stay together and enjoy the beauty, elegance, and unity in humanism. I try to express this in my jewelery making as well.

[SP]*: How long does it take you to create each piece?

It depends on what is being created. The longest session of jewelery making I have ever done in one sitting was 12 hours. I feel as if my strengths and interests in the medical field lend a hand in the creation of my art. Research must be done, care must be taken, a story must be crafted or interpreted all to yield in a positive result whether it be with the creation of a beautiful art piece, or the medical treatment of a patient.

[SP]*: Your first solo exhibition is coming up, are you excited?

Oh yeah definitely…this is what I always dreamed of how my first show  would be! The only difference is that I was worried about marketing and preparation of the show, but now I realize I am free of that, thank goodness! I can just design when my heart yearns for it and worry about nothing else. Just as I thought the year was beginning to slow down, i am contacted by a gallery about my artwork. I feel that my patience and perseverance is paying off.

[SP]*: What challenges have you found in your work?

I would say finding time for everything I want to do. I commit myself to only 30-40 hrs in a month for creative work, a little less and little more depending…However 1/3rd of this entire time goes for actual designing. My remaining free time is spent on other facets of my life: completing my medical residency, spending time with my family, and being a committed wife and mother.

The amount of research I put into certain pieces is enormous. I must examine the types, size, and color of the beads I need, where to get them, and the cultural significance and symbolism that each material contains within the context of the jewelery that I create. This, along with the time it takes to create each piece, is one of my greatest challenges.

if interested in seeing more of kiran’s work, check out her facebook page for yarla creations here.

like [starpower]* on facebook here.