Jeweller uses ancient skills in Napier show

As a child, Stevan Stojanovic was fascinated with ancient Rome and just had to visit the Italian capital during his OE.
The Wellington-born artist ended up staying there for the better part of 18 years.
He returned to New Zealand five years ago with his wife Federica Gatti, also a second-generation artist, and their two children.
 They set up home in Te Horo (Otaki) and opened their own studio, Bell'Arte, in 2008.
Stojanovic's exhibition at Statements Gallery, Napier, will feature some of his fine jewellery and other artworks. This Saturday he will craft a bracelet using archaic Roman techniques on site.
His Rome sojourn began with a year studying life drawing at the Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti).
He then applied "on a whim" for a course at the Academy of the Art of the Medal, run by the Italian State Mint, where he eventually worked.
He also worked in London for two years as a freelance engraver of medals for private mints - carving medallions - before returning to Rome to work with jeweller David Loepp, a world-renowned expert in ancient jewellery and artefacts.
While there, Stojanovic learned to restore antique jewellery and to manufacture jewellery using archaic and contemporary techniques.
Stojanovic's father, Dragan, was a professional artist so he had grown up surrounded by art.
 He decided that trying to live off painting was too difficult in New Zealand and that he needed to learn how to apply his art to making designer objects and sculptures.
He has always liked gems and coloured glass and still tries to paint, mainly in oils, when he can.
Recently he has taken to casting glass.
Between himself and wife Gatti they produce a lot of different pieces in various materials, incorporating metal, stone, glass, ceramics and paint.
Gatti has also worked in restoration. Two of her biggest jobs included taking part in the restoration and conservation of the Basilica Ara Coeli in the Church of St Lorenzo in Lucina and the strengthening and reconstruction of Latina's Vittorio Veneto Grand Hall. It sparked an interest in hand-painted home decoration, something she still does today.
It has been a challenge maintaining a small business in the current economic climate but Stojanovic feels things have definitely improved for artists.
Prior to leaving NZ in 1987 he had been working in a timber yard. "I think being an artist here is difficult but that's more or less worldwide.
"The public who do come into the shop are very interested and enthusiastic."