Matthieu Cheminée

 

Matthieu Cheminée is a studio artist, teacher, and writer. He moved from Paris to New Mexico at the age of 19, where he spent seven years learning jewelry techniques. Stamping immediately became a favored technique, remaining a central part of his work ever since. He later moved to Mali, West Africa, working for several years alongside Fulani, Touareg, and Bambara jewelers.

In 1999, he settled in Montreal, Canada, continuing his studies at a jewelry school to learn a more classical approach to the craft. Over the years, he has returned to Africa regularly to work and research traditional techniques.

Matthieu has taught at the École de Joaillerie de Montréal and the École des Métiers du Sud-Ouest in Montréal, Québec, Canada, as well as in workshops across Canada, the United States, and internationally.

He is a Saul Bell Award winner (1st place Silver in 2018, 2nd place Silver in 2017). His work is included in the collections of the Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec in Montréal and the Musée des Civilisations de Québec.

As an author, he has published:

• Legacy: Jewelry Techniques of West Africa (2014, Brynmorgen Press)
• The Art of Stamping (2020, Brynmorgen Press)
• Inadan: The Mastery of Tuareg Artisans (2023, Schiffer Publishing)

In 2021, he opened his own school and studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

He is also the co-founder of the Toolbox Initiative, a non-profit organization created alongside Tim McCreight, dedicated to supporting jewelers in West Africa through donated tools.