Merle Kasonen (1981) is a freelance jewellery artist and curator. She holds an MA in Jewellery and Blacksmithing from the Estonian Academy of Arts (2008) and studied as an exchange student in Porto, Portugal. Since 2003, Kasonen has participated in numerous exhibitions in Estonia and abroad. Her works are included in the collections of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Estonian Academy of Arts’ Jewellery and Blacksmithing student fund, as well as in private collections in Estonia and Finland.
Alongside her artistic practice, Kasonen is dedicated to the broader development of the field. In addition to the collective activities of Studio Gram, she has delivered lectures on jewellery and applied arts, written professional articles, and curated exhibitions and events.
Merle Kasonen’s jewellery is characterised by a contemporary minimalist aesthetic — at times geometric, at others more organic. In addition to series pieces, she places great emphasis on bespoke engagement and wedding rings, as well as other pieces that mark significant moments or milestones. Kasonen prefers to work with precious metals and gemstones, combining classical goldsmithing techniques with contemporary technologies, and continuously exploring new nuances within this ever-inspiring discipline.
Merle Kasonen works daily at Studio Gram, located in Tallinn’s Old Town in the same building as A-Gallery.
