Contemporary jewelry is doing OK. It does not need another pat on the back in the form of a 300-page book of images. When taking on the task of editor in 2010, Damian Skinner decided to treat Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective as an opportunity to examine jewelry as a mature, fully developed practice. Rather than […]
This Is Not A Book (Part 1) Read More »
Suzanne Klemm studies nature, and specifically in this show at Galerie Ra called Oceanum, she is paying attention to deep-sea life. The mysterious world of sea creatures has inspired many jewelers over the centuries. However, Suzanne doesn’t claim to be interested in any precursors and finds her own way to a translation from the deep
Susanne Klemm: Oceanum Read More »
The contemporary jewelry field is much less resilient to the use of words and texts than its craft heritage would have us believe. Words help us define our practice and describe (or dress up) our things. In fact, words are what we use to help these things graduate to the status of cultural goods. They
Texts and Pretexts Read More »
J. Fred Woell, Founding Fathers, 2006, brooch, Eagle Brand can lid, copper, steel, nickel, 69.9 x 69.9 x 6.4 mm, photo: Madeline Courtney Susan Cummins: Signs Of Life is the ninth in the series of publications from Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery. How did it start? What compels you to continue? Karen Lorene: For a number
Adrean Bloomard, Amphora, 2010, pendant, copper, silver, enamel, 60 x 70 x 50 mm Missy Graff: How did you come up with the concept for this exhibition? What do you feel is the most compelling aspect of the show? Agita Putane: Everyone seeks after feelings that contribute to their happiness. For me, working in the
FANTASTICI! Contemporary Italian Jewelry Read More »
Sutopa Parrab, Banjara, 2012, necklace, salvaged traditional Rajasthani silver pendants, hand-dyed cotton twine (twined by Madan Mohan Patva), photo: unknown To us in the West, Sufism offers a kind of “Islam-lite.” The Qawwali music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a regular on the playlist of “world culture.” Western Sufism provides us with a mystical
The DIT (Do It Themselves) Movement in Indian Contemporary Jewelry Read More »
“A scholarly, thoughtful, and serious compendium of thinking about contemporary jewelry, from uncovering its origins to considering its definition among the do-it-yourself trend … A tome for the eclectic reader and fan of today’s artistry in jewelry.” Booklist Mill Valley, California, USA—Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) announces an expanded schedule of special events organized in
Art Jewelry Forum Speakers Tour Extends Across the US Read More »
Han-Chieh Chuang, Peasant Life, 2013, brooch, silver, paper, bamboo, gold foil, fabric, 110 x 60 x 35 mm, photo: artist Susan Cummins: First of all, please explain who thought of doing this show? Machtelt Schelling: I thought of the show myself. The jewelry scene is quite new in Asia, and there are not many galleries
Raïssa Bump and Amy Tavern, Maps:Variants, 2013, necklace, oxidized sterling silver, brass, glass beads, 1219.2 x 203.2 x 50.8 mm, photo: Hap Sakwa Missy Graff: Please tell me about your background. Have you always had an interest in making jewelry? Amy Tavern: I began metalsmithing in 1998. Before that, I was interested in music and
Raissa Bump and Amy Tavern: Parallel Constellations Read More »
What makes contemporary jewelry unique? What are the singular characteristics that distinguish these objects and practices from other forms of visual arts? One way to answer this is to consider the spaces in which contemporary jewelry circulates. It inhabits not only the walls and plinths of museums, but also the private spaces of collectors’ drawers
Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective: Pratt Read More »
Karen Gilbert, Aqua, 2013, brooch, sterling silver, enamel, beads, semiprecious stones, 82.6 x 63.5 mm, photo: Josh Wendler, Shibumi Gallery Susan Cummins: What is the story of your journey to becoming a jeweler? Karen Gilbert: I became a jeweler by accident. I was a student at California College of Arts and Crafts in the painting
Karen Gilbert: Shift Read More »
What makes contemporary jewelry unique? What are the singular characteristics that distinguish these objects and practices from other forms of visual arts? One way to answer this is to consider the spaces in which contemporary jewelry circulates. It inhabits not only the walls and plinths of museums, but also the private spaces of collectors’ drawers
Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective: Renwick Read More »
