AJF asked this years five young Artist Award finalists to give us their thoughts on the future of the field. Their work represents a group of outstanding pieces of contemporary jewelry. This is the first of five interviews, including one with Seulgi Kwon, the winner of this year’s prize. Attai Chen, Untitled, 2014, necklace, paper, […]
Seulgi Kwon, Deep in the Night 1, 2014, brooch, silicone, pigment, thread, glass, 180 x 170 x 60 cm, photo: artist Seulgi Kwon, The Evolution of Defense 1 (worn), 2014, silicone, pigment, thread, paper, plastic, 180 x 105 x 70 mm, photo: artist The goal of the AJF Artist Award is to acknowledge promise, innovation,
SEULGI KWON WINS ART JEWELRY FORUM ARTIST AWARD Read More »
Mill Valley, California, November 10, 2014—Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) is pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2014 AJF Artist Award for emerging artists. One winner will be selected from this short list and announced in December 2014. Applications were received from 123 artists in 27 countries. Criteria used in the judging were originality,
ART JEWELRY FORUM ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR ARTIST AWARD Read More »
Marzee Graduate Show 2014 August 17-October 19, 2014 Galerie Marzee, Nijmegen, Netherlands Gallery opening, Marzee Graduate Show 2014, Galerie Marzee, Nijmegen, Netherlands, photo: Michiel Heffels Every year, alongside the show, space is also given over to a small exhibition of work produced by the previous year’s prizewinners. The prize, a weeklong residency at Atelier Ravary
Jewelry’s Best Do Less Read More »
Galerie Marzee, Rijmegen, Netherlands Mill Valley, CA, September 1, 2014—In addition to the cash award of $7500 for the winner of the Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award (AJF AA), we have just arranged for the five finalists (including the winner) to show at the fabulous annual Schmuck event in Munich, Gemany. Work will be displayed
ART JEWELRY FORUM NEWS RELEASE Read More »
Gallery Funaki recently launched the inaugural Mari Funaki Award for Contemporary Jewelry to honor and recognize Mari Funaki, a unique and passionate advocate for contemporary jewelry in Australia. This award aims to celebrate Mari’s legacy by recognizing the skills and talent of jewelers, both local and overseas, and by providing a platform for outstanding new work to be shown in Australia. Artists worldwide, at any stage of their practice, were invited to apply for the award; over 530 entries from more than 35 countries were received. The work of 31 finalists was selected and is currently on exhibit at Gallery Funaki from August 13–September 13, 2014.
The winner of the established artist category is Kiko Gianocca, from Switzerland, with a series of three necklaces collectively titled Veneer. His work has been exhibited internationally since 2003 and he is currently represented by Gallery Funaki.
In the emerging artist category, two winners were selected: Patrícia Domingues, from Portugal, with her pendant from the Duality series, and Polish artist Sara Gackowska for her brooch, Membrane, from the Methamorphosis series. In addition, two commendations were given, the first to Inari Kiuru, a Melbourne artist, for her two brooches from the Evolution series, and Jiro Kamata, based in Germany, for his Spiegel necklace.
The recent announcement of winners provided an opportunity to speak with gallery director Katie Scott about the award and her vision for the gallery, as well as hear from the three winners.
Bonnie Levine: Mari Funaki was an important visionary and maker in the world of contemporary jewelry, particularly in Melbourne. Can you tell us about her and her legacy?
Mari Funaki Award for Contemporary Jewelry Read More »
Mill Valley, CA, July 1, 2014—Art Jewelry Form (AJF) is accepting applications for its 2014 Artist Award for an Emerging Jewelry Artist. This is the fifteenth year that AJF will be providing a cash award to a contemporary jewelry artist. The amount of the 2014 award will remain at $7500 this year thanks to the
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: 2014 ART JEWELRY FORUM ARTIST AWARD Read More »
Robert Smit was awarded the Golden Ring of Honor this year, which places him in the Pantheon of great contemporary jewelers. It was given in recognition of his dedication and brilliance in making jewelry, drawings, and paintings over many years. This year, the ring was made by Otto Künzli, who was the last recipient of the Ring of Honor. Otto’s design is quite amusing. Rosemarie Jäger gave Robert a reception at her gallery to mark this occasion. Robert is a prolific and thoughtful artist who has strong opinions that guide his process. It was a pleasure to have the privilege of interviewing him.
For further recent publications about Robert Smit, you can read Liesbeth den Besten’s article in Metalsmith, v.33, n.5, 2013, and the catalog published by Padova, Musei Civici agli Eremitani, on the occasion of this year’s show, called Esoteric Revelations.
Susan Cummins: Congratulations! You were just awarded the Golden Ring of Honor 2014 by the Association for Goldsmiths’ Art in Hanau, Germany. This recognition is a great honor. What is the history of this 41 year-long tradition? And how do you feel about getting it?
Robert Smit: The tradition was started in 1933, so it is already 81 years old! In the beginning, the Golden Ring of Honor was given every year up until 1957. In 1960 it was changed to every 3 years. The first years it took place in Berlin. Then in 1947 it moved to Hamburg, because the Gesellschaft für Goldschmiedekunst had to move out from Berlin. For the last 29 years, the meetings and presentations of the award have taken place in Hanau. See the list of Ehrenringträger (Carriers of the honorary ring) at the end of the interview.
Robert Smit: Golden Ring of Honor Read More »
Farrah Al-Dujaili, a maker from the United Kingdom, won the 2011 Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award for an Emerging Artist for her bold, unique mix of drawing and making that crosses over and intertwines. Working with drawing materials, such as pencil, crayons, and watercolors, she applies them to the surface of enamel paint to create
Art Jewelry Forum announces the schedule of special events organized in support of their book Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective, the organization’s most ambitious project to date. A series of speaking engagements, book signings, and receptions has been planned in collaboration with major cultural and academic institutions in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, and Boston, MA.
Contemporary Jewelry In Perspective Read More »
Sooyeon Kim Mill Valley, CA, September 1, 2013—Susan Cummins, Chair of Art Jewelry Forum (AJF), and Susan Kempin, AJF Award Program Chair, are pleased to announce Sooyeon Kim was selected to receive the 2013 Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award for an Emerging Jeweler. Kim was chosen from 134 entries representing 34 countries. Jurors making the
Art Jewelry Forum Announces Sooyeon Kim Winner of 2013 AJF Artist Award Read More »
Nhat-Vu Dang Mill Valley, CA, August 19, 2013—Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2013 AJF Artist Award for Emerging Artists. One winner will be selected from this short list and announced on September 1, 2013. Applications were received from 134 artists in 34 countries. This is the first year
ART JEWELRY FORUM ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2013 ARTIST AWARD Read More »
