I was first introduced to Jewellery week through my best friend Johanna – she is a jeweler/metalsmith currently based in Las Cruces pursuing her Masters at New Mexico State University, also my alma mater. I’m so fortunate that our paths crossed here because she has truly introduced me to so many avenues of art making that I probably would not have been exposed to if I didn’t attend NMSU or become such close friends with her. A bit naive to say but up until grad school I didn’t know metal smithing was a path in art departments.
While in grad school I had the opportunity to TA for our Intro to Metals class. Throughout that semester I learned the same material the intro students were learning and did all the same projects alongside them and I really loved it. I genuinely do think if I would have been exposed to it sooner in my art making career I probably would have pursued it as well and I know, I know…It’s never too late to start.
I have always believed that jewelry-making requires a particular kind of attention and awareness—one that I find both challenging and compelling. Unlike other forms of art that occupy or transform physical space around us, jewelry transforms the body and utilizes it as the “space.” The work doesn’t just accompany a wall or installation—it adorns us. The relationship between object and body becomes intimate, immediate, and alive.
*The closest thing to jewelry making I’ve done since exploring ceramics – rubble rings.
Munich Jewellery Week 2025
Okay – so Munich jewellery week.
Since 1973 artists, collectors and enthusiasts have been coming to Munich for the International Crafts Fair and Schmuck Exhibition. Each year at the exhibition three artists are awarded the notable Herbert Hofmann Prize –an award for “jewellery artists whose work is exemplary in terms of the novelty of the jewellery idea, originality of the concept, outstanding craftsmanship, wearability and decorative effect.” ( Schmuck München) Throughout the years, Jewellery Week has become a highly anticipated event for contemporary jewellery – celebrated through a variety of exhibitions and additional programming like workshops and artist talks.
This year the event took place from March 12th-16th. Because I was a bit unsure and unfamiliar with the logistics of everything, I decided to go from the 13th-15th – both Thursday and Friday were spent hopping on and off trams and underground in search of various exhibitions and open studios participating in this year’s jewellery week. To some extent it felt like a little scavenger hunt. It was so exhilarating when we’d finally stumble upon the space filled with such an energetic buzz. There is no way I could possibly share every detail of this trip or explored as much as I did If I hadn’t met up with my professor from grad school. She shared so much information and I genuinely learned so much and am already looking forward to attending next year. So thank you Motoko! So here are a few “highlights” that I really enjoyed.
A little note –– i’ve tried to link and share as much information about the exhibitions, artists, artwork as I could find/remember. I’m usually really good about documenting works so that I can credit artists later. The Munich Jewellery Week website was also a huge help in refreshing my memory on some of this information.
More on film ––
Precious.Collective presents: ‘Chaos & Control’ Group Exhibition. Agnès WO, Alessia Prati, Angela Mini Jo, Ani Flys, Asimi, Anneli Tammik, Camilla Luihn, Carmen Lopez, Chok Shin Ni, Christine Klomfaß, Claire Underwood, Claude Lescar, Deganit Stern Schocken, Deimantė Kiesutė, Elisabeth Drude, Eunhee Cho, Federica Pallaver, Feifei Cheng, Francesca Cecamore, Hannah Norris, Hebe Argentieri, Helen Dilkes, Helen Hae Young Kwon, Huang Xiaozhe, Jeanine van der Linde, Jeannette Knigge, Jeremy Irvin, Ji Young Kim, Juan Harnie, Juan Riusech, Julia Boix-Vives, Julie Usel, Karolis Ro, Katie Kameen, Laurel Fulton, Lindsey Mann, Liu Yang, Lorena Lazard, Lucy Spink, Lynne Speake, Maria Camera-Smith, Mark Mcleish, Marta Dobrynina, Martine De Vos, Mayte Amezcua, Minjeong Kim, Motoko Furuhashi, Nassrin Vessalian, Rachael Colley, Sara Shahak, Sonia Beauchesne, Spam Glam, Stéphanie Letarte, Susanne Elstner, Willemien Bruwer, Willy Van de Velde, Wren Schulz, Xi Li & YOMismadesign.
A Swelling of the Ground Group Exhibition. Artists : Elise Hoebeke, Saskia Van der Gucht, Irma Földényi and Saskia van Es.
A Swelling of the Ground Group Exhibition. Artists: Elise Hoebeke, Saskia Van der Gucht, Irma Földényi and Saskia van Es.
Crotla presents Tin Makes Sense Group Exhibition. Artists: Dirk Bell, Gabi Dziuba, Karl Fritsch, Hans-Peter Gehring, Andy Hope 1930, Ben Kaufmann, Inga Riedel, Gerd Rothmann, Daniela Stöppel, Lorenz Straßl, Lisa Walker.
Crotla presents Tin Makes Sense Group Exhibition. Artists: Dirk Bell, Gabi Dziuba, Karl Fritsch, Hans-Peter Gehring, Andy Hope 1930, Ben Kaufmann, Inga Riedel, Gerd Rothmann, Daniela Stöppel, Lorenz Straßl, Lisa Walker.
Crotla presents Tin Makes Sense Group Exhibition. Artists: Dirk Bell, Gabi Dziuba, Karl Fritsch, Hans-Peter Gehring, Andy Hope 1930, Ben Kaufmann, Inga Riedel, Gerd Rothmann, Daniela Stöppel, Lorenz Straßl, Lisa Walker.
Crotla presents Tin Makes Sense Group Exhibition. Artists: Dirk Bell, Gabi Dziuba, Karl Fritsch, Hans-Peter Gehring, Andy Hope 1930, Ben Kaufmann, Inga Riedel, Gerd Rothmann, Daniela Stöppel, Lorenz Straßl, Lisa Walker.
We stumbled upon this beautiful stationary store, Carta Pura. I keep dreaming about when I'm in Munich next so I can stop by and add a few more things to my studio.
Interior of Carta Pura
Interior of Carta Pura
Graduate students from the Department of Crafts, Seoul National University, South Korea
Graduate students from the Department of Crafts, Seoul National University, South Korea
Graduate students from the Department of Crafts, Seoul National University, South Korea
Graduate students from the Department of Crafts, Seoul National University, South Korea
Graduate students from the Department of Crafts, Seoul National University, South Korea
Graduate students from the Department of Crafts, Seoul National University, South Korea
The largest piece of Mica I think i've ever seen in a collection thus far. Mineralogy Museum Munich.
Mineralogy Museum Munich.
Mineralogy Museum Munich.
Flouride, Mineralogy Museum Munich.
Mindful Mining: Group Exhibition at the Pinakothek der Moderne. Artists: Artists: Chae-hyeon Ahn, Yerin An, Eunji Cho, Dayoung Choi, Yeonwoo Eom, Laura Iochins Grisci, Shihwa Jeong, Sunmin Jeong, Xinyi Jiang, Ara Jo, Yejin Kang, Eunseo Kim, Gyuri Kim, Hayeon Kim, Minseok Kim, Sang-mi Kim, Soo-young Kim, Chaewon Lee, Gang-yeon Lee, Gueun Lee, Hanhwi Lee, Haseo Lee, Heeseo Lee, Hyungchan Lee, Sojeong Lee, Yesung Lee, Jewoon Lim, Yoojin Na, Ivan Nalivaiko, Subeen Oh, Jongrok Park, Jaekwan Shim, Eunji Shin, Yewon Sim, Ran-ran Zhang, Yeonjoo Son, Misong Yeo, Seunghyeok Yoo, Seonyoung Yoo