Modernist Pin, c. 1960
by Sigi Piñeda (b. 1929)
Taxco, Mexico
sterling silver
1 7/8” long x 1 1/8” wide x 1/4” deep
Now in his 90's, Sigi Piñeda may be one of the last of the great historic artisans of Taxco still producing jewelry and new designs. He developed his own style in the early 1950's, approaching a more international flavor to his work than his contemporaries and predecessors who were exploring symbolic Mexican themes. Sigi's version of organic modernism was inspirational in developing and establishing a new design sensibility in Taxco, Mexican modernism, adding to the established Mexican art vocabulary.
The Mexican Modernist Movement, is a testimonial to the vitality and versatility of Taxco jewelers and metalsmiths; and to their importance on the international stage of silver design. The singularity of Sigi's style is so distinct that everyone can identify his work, and often, people say of similar designs that this piece of jewelry has the "Sigi Look".
Sigi has worked with jewelry from his early childhood to the present. In his middle years, he took a hiatus form the art world, after suffering injuries sustained in an automobile crash. Returning to the world of art in his later years, with vigor, fresh inspiration and artistic passion, he created sophisticated, one of a kind, pieces, as only seasoned artisans are able to do.
