Dante Perozzi
Where are you from and does it affect your work?
I have moved around a ton in my life, so it's not easy to sum up. I was born in Zimbabwe, lived in places like Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, sailed on a boat along the US east coast and into the Caribbean, and finally settled in Arizona. The longest I stayed anywhere was 12 years in California, but I was just 21 when I got there. I think all that moving around made me more open to taking risks, trying new things, and not being afraid of big changes or new ideas.
Very cool! Do you have any artistic influences?
Yes! Other than finding beauty in formal attributes and shapes - I am always moved and inspired by sculpture. Some favorites that I can think of right now are Louise Nevelson, Gordon Matta Clark, Robert Motherwell, Carl Andre, Eva Hesse.
How do you define success as an artist?
Success as an artist is creating something that can affect the thoughts or emotions of others through my creations. They have an impact and can be absorbed/appreciated by an audience. In the case of jewelry, I feel successful when I see someone light up when they find or wear my my jewelry.
What’s the hardest part of your creation process?
Knowing when to stop! I have endless ideas and I could make new designs indefinitely. But I have learned to hold myself back otherwise I become buried by the production of too many pieces at a time. Patience doesn’t come easily to me.
What’s a lesson that’s helped you grow as an artist?
It's important to embrace the possibility of failure in my art (and life) and to welcome the opportunity to learn from mistakes. I try not to attach the thought that anything in the work is too precious. That invites worry, fear and doubt (in that order). These three things can kill creativity before it even sparks.
When I look back at my career to date- I can link every period of significant growth and breakthroughs as an artist further back to moments when I fell short, had to change direction, or let go of something I believed in. Those were difficult to process in the moment but I soon discovered a shift in my perspective and turned the momentum around any frustrations into inspiration for some of the really excellent work that followed.
Well said. Has your style changed over time?
I went from working with very clean lines, straight edges, smooth surfaces with sharp angled designs that were highly structural in nature to the complete opposite end of the spectrum! I am currently making pieces that are highly textural, and more organic in form. It’s funny to think about how very different my work is now.
Ya we can spot the difference from when you first started doing our fairs! How have you continued to develop your skillset as an artist?
I have steadily added skills to my knowledge base from the beginning. I thrive off of a design challenge-and since I don't let my personal skillset limit my ideas, I am often seeking out knowledge via courses or local resources in order to bring my idea to life.
What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?
I could never pick a favorite. But I’ll say that I am really enjoying making chains lately. I have a beautiful new piece called the Nara Chain and I find it mesmerizing. I can definitely see more unique chain making in my future.
What is a fun fact that others may not know about you?
I have two fingers on my right hand. Luckily, the fingers I have make a solid combo- opposable thumb and a pinky. I’ve always figured things out my own way, which probably explains my version of creative thinking and making.
I played all-star level sports growing up, I picked up guitar in high school and I'm still playing. I truly never felt that I had to sit anything out- except maybe the dream of being a hand model....but in the end, I make up for my lack of ring fingers with my strong earring game. Snark aside, I'm not conscious of my difference- and because it rarely crosses my mind- I find that it's a bit uncomfortable to bring it up now. But I admit that it is a foundational piece of how I have come to operate in the world. Maybe you will be surprised by this little fun fact about me.
That is incredible and inspiring that it never held you back from doing something you wanted to. Any new items or projects you’re excited about?
At the start of the year, I set a goal to make a handful of one-of-a-kind pieces to bring to every in-person event as a way to ensure there will always be a surprise in store. Put into practice, making these has turned out to be a great way to stay creatively loose—playing with new forms, experimenting with stones and pearls, and refining ideas for Fine pieces in development and with metal market prices rocketing even higher, I am obliged to work within a smaller scale that is financially accessible when made in solid gold. The aim is to find the fancy without losing the bold, sculptural feel that defines my work.
And since I basically spilled the beans in the last paragraph… I am on the record (for the first time) that DPJ Fine line is finally happening - it will debut to much celebration on my end. Now you have an idea of what's been happening behind the scenes at DPJ - keep your eyes peeled and come for a visit as I'll probably sneak a few of the newbies out to Jackalope and other events to see what you all think of them before making anything official!
We can’t wait to see! And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?
I have been in Colorado for 7.5 years now and the beauty of this state is truly incomparable, I have also really grown to love the active and engaged community of people I have found here. I have 2 young boys that I am very grateful to be able to raise in this special place.
Can’t wait to be back there soon! Catch Dante Perozzi at Jackalope Arvada on October 4th & 5th, 2025
Instagram: @danteperozzijewelery
