NC:You began your journey as a jeweler at the age of 14. What first drew you to the craft,and how did you know it was your calling?M.I.:I was only 14 years old when I first felt deeply drawn to the worldof art. I was fortunate enough to be born in a city steeped in history—a place that, in 400 B.C., was under Greek rule.From a young age, I was surrounded by the magic of ancient stones, masterfully carved by thecivilizations that followed one another through the millennia.That same year, a new experimental program in goldsmithing and metalworking was launchedat the Art Institute of Syracuse. I seized the opportunity without hesitation. As soon as I startedthe course, I was instantly captivated. Forty-five years have passed, and that flame still burns inside me with the same intensity. It drives me to create, to dream, and to craft works that challenge the passage of time
Read the entire article in issue 8 of No Chaser magazine.
