meet the maker
Jakarta-born Risza Lopes da Cruz explores the quiet power of objects — how they carry memory, ritual, and meaning across time.
Drawing on ceremonial artefacts, personal heirlooms, and symbolic forms, her work reinterprets traditional motifs through a contemporary, sculptural lens. With family roots in the cultural traditions of Timor-Leste and Indonesia, her practice reflects an ongoing dialogue between heritage and modern life.
Originally established as Risza Jewellery, the studio has evolved into Risza Lopes da Cruz — a shift that reflects growing confidence in craft, a deeper sense of belonging, and a practice that extends beyond jewellery into objects and material exploration.
The result is work designed to be worn, held, and passed on — pieces that are intended to be kept and passed on from generation to generation.
INSPIRATIONS
The Kaibauk is a ceremonial headdress traditionally worn by Timorese 'liurai' (traditional ruler or king in Timor). Often crafted in silver and shaped like the horns of a water buffalo, it draws on a powerful symbol found across Timorese culture — from adornment to the rooftops of sacred houses, known as 'uma lulik'. The buffalo horns represent strength, protection, and leadership.The Belak is its counterpart — a circular medallion worn on the chest. Associated with the moon, it symbolises peace and prosperity. Belak was also once awarded by village elders to honour the bravery and courage of warriors returning home. The medallion is worn with a red cotton thread, a powerful symbol of bravery.Together, Kaibauk and Belak are designed to complement one another, their pairing expressing harmony and balance. While the Kaibauk is often linked to masculine power and the Belak to feminine energy, both are worn across genders, reflecting a shared cultural language rather than fixed roles.Contact us
Reach out with any queries here or make an appointment for a studio visit.
Brighton Jewellery Collective - Rodhus
16-30 Hollingdean Road
Brighton, East Sussex BN2 4AA, England, UK
Email: hello@riszalopesdacruz.com