Objects Beautiful presents @ Collect 24
Somerset House, London
1-2-3 March 2024
Presented by Crafts Council and celebrating its 20th year, Collect is the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design, representing the pinnacle of artistry and creativity.
Objects Beautiful is a new Gallery in London that takes an interest in the resurgence of beauty – a word that became a taboo since the 1950s. It aims to throw light on the intergenerational, contemporary multicultural visual art sourced internationally, and homing in on diverse range of collectibles by emerging and established artists. The gallery’s leading concept is that beauty is not a singular idea, but its plurality prevails.
At Collect 2024 Objects Beautiful has its own room, exhibiting 30 artists of different disciplines: jewellery, the largest section at this exhibition, ceramics, textile, and metal combined with glass.
Objects Beautiful's Artists @ Collect24
Ela Bauer (Jewellery), Michael Becker (Jewellery), Adi Toch & Edmond Byrne (Metal and Glass art), Carlos Jimenez Cenamor (Ceramics), Aymee Thorne Clarke (Jewellery), Nurit David (Fine art, Textile), Marion Delarue (Jewellery), Sam Tho Duong (Jewellery), Elly Glossop (Ceramics), Herman Hermsen (Jewellery), Mari Ishikawa (Jewellery), Jenny Jansson (Jewellery), Wenyin Jiang (Jewellery), Seonyong Lee (Jewellery), Joanna Manousis (Jewellery, Glass art), Felicia Mülbaier (Jewellery, Sculptures), Peter Machata (Jewellery), Peleg Matityahu (Jewellery), Gitte Nygaard (Jewellery), Ineke Otte (Jewellery), Liana Pattihis (Jewellery), Michaela Pegum (Jewellery, Sculptures), Katja Prins (Jewellery), Uli Rapp (Jewellery), Jolynn Santiago (Jewellery), Marianne Schliwinski (Jewellery), Deganit Stern Schocken (Jewellery), Carina Shoshtary (Jewellery), Florian Weichsberger (Jewellery), Jessica Winchcombe (Jewellery)
Ela Bauer (Jewellery)
Ela Bauer, born in Warsaw in 1960 and raised in Israel, is an acclaimed jewelry designer whose work is known for its vibrant, organic forms that mimic the human body's contours. Utilizing materials like resin, textiles, and silicone, her creations often incorporate natural elements, embodying themes of movement and change. Educated in Literature and Indology in Jerusalem and jewelry design in Amsterdam, Bauer's pieces have been recognized internationally, featuring in prestigious collections such as the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and the Museum of Art and Design in New York. Her innovative designs stand at the intersection of art and adornment, challenging traditional notions of jewelry.
Michael Becker (Jewellery)
Michael Becker, a German jewelry designer born in 1958 in Paderborn, is renowned for his unique approach to jewelry that combines gold plates, titanium discs, and dolomite rocks into severe, ascetic forms with distinct lines. Educated at the Fachhochschule Cologne, Becker's creations defy initial perceptions; beneath their geometric rigor and aesthetic precision lies a deep-seated poetry and passion, a quest for beauty that borders on obsession. His work, characterized by the interplay of static and dynamic elements, explores the balance between cosmic disorder and meticulous organization, embodying transitions and transformations. Becker's remarkable pieces, which challenge the dichotomy between artificiality and nature, are celebrated in prestigious public collections worldwide, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York, showcasing his mastery in bridging organization with the unleashing of energies in his art.
Adi Toch & Edmund Byrne (Metal & Glass Art)
Adi Toch
Adi Toch, an acclaimed London-based artist and metalsmith, specializes in the intricate exploration of vessels, engaging audiences with sensorial and interactive art. Her work, crafted from flat metal sheets into delicate, hollow forms, features unique surface textures and patination. A lecturer at the Royal College of Art, Toch's influence spans globally through exhibitions and teachings. Her pieces, celebrated for their innovative approach to traditional silversmithing and surface treatments, reside in prestigious collections like the V&A Museum in London and The Jewish Museum in New York. Toch's creations delve into the cultural and symbolic significance of vessels, offering a profound commentary on material culture and human interaction.
Edmund Byrne
Edmond Byrne is a glass artist and educator with an experimental approach to process and making that explores tactility, colour psychology, sustainability, and digital craft. He has an MA from the Royal College of Art, Ceramics and Glass and a B.Des in Craft Design from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, and holds a Senior Lecturer position at De Montfort University's multidisciplinary Design Crafts course. His work is exhibited internationally and is included in public collections; the V&A Museum, Ulster Museum and The National Collection, Ireland. He has received prestigious awards including the RDS Irish Craft Award, the Dan Klein Memorial Award, and the Pilchuck Partner Scholarship.
Carlos Jimenez Cenamor (Ceramics)
Carlos Jimenez Cenamor, a distinguished architect and designer, graduated from ETSAM in 2007. He co-founded CasaLeganitos, contributing to significant urban and private housing projects. His collaboration with Izaskun Chinchilla Architects yielded notable works like the Garcimuñoz Castle. Carlos has been influential in academia, particularly at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. In 2011, he launched DelAmorYlaBelleza, blending happiness and optimism into his designs spanning ceramics to fashion. His work, celebrated in international festivals and galleries, reflects a deep engagement with his surroundings, especially in his current base, Murcia, where he focuses on ceramics and graphic production.
Aymée Thorne Clarke (Jewellery)
Aymée, a London-based jewellery designer and archivist, intertwines her profound knowledge of art and architecture into her unique jewellery pieces. With an architectural background from the Bartlett School and further studies in Art History and Archival Studies, her work encapsulates the essence of architectural marvels at a miniature scale. Since 2015, she has been crafting jewellery from recycled metals and ethically sourced gemstones, ensuring sustainability. Each handmade piece narrates a story, drawing from her favorite architectural works, and is marked for its quality by the London Assay Office. Aymée's creations stand as a testament to the lasting beauty of meticulous design and sustainable practices.
Nurit David (Fine Art, Textile)
Nurit David, a distinguished painter from Tel Aviv, Israel, was born on June 24, 1952. She honed her skills at the Art Teachers’ Training College in Ramat-Hasharon and furthered her education in 2002 at The Prince's Drawing School (now the Royal Drawing School) in London. Recognized as a leading figure in the Tel Aviv art scene, David's contributions to painting were acknowledged with Israel’s major painting prize in 2006, followed by a retrospective at the Tel Aviv Museum in 2007. Her oeuvre has garnered numerous accolades, including The Beatrice S. Colliner Award, the Jacques O’hana Prize, The Sandberg Prize, the Minister of Culture and Education Prize, and The Rappaport Prize. David's career also spans significant roles as an educator at Beit-Berl College School of Art and the Bezalel Academy. Her longstanding collaboration with Givon Gallery in Tel Aviv since 1982 underscores her prominent position in the Israeli art world.
Marion Delarue (Jewellery)
Marion Delarue, a Parisian jewelry artist, intertwines traditional Asian craftsmanship with contemporary design. Her educational journey began at the Ecole Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs de Strasbourg in 2006, leading to an enriching exchange in South Korea in 2010 to study ceramics, glass, and Korean lacquer. After earning her Master's in Contemporary Jewelry in 2011, she furthered her studies in Estonia, delving into ceramics, wood, and leather crafts. Delarue's work, characterized by its adaptability to various materials, embodies a fusion of traditional techniques and modern conceptualization, showcased through her participation in residencies and projects across Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan.
Sam Tho Duong (Jewellery)
Sam Tho Duong, born in Bien Hoa, Vietnam in 1969, is a renowned jewelry designer who found refuge in Germany with his family as a teenager. Settling in Pforzheim, known as the heart of Germany's jewelry industry, Duong graduated from the Goldschmiedesschule in 1992 and honed his craft at Wellendorff Gold-Creationen GmbH & Co. KG before pursuing further studies at Pforzheim Design University, where he graduated in 2002. His innovative work, often blending unconventional materials like plastic with precious stones, has garnered international acclaim, including the Herbert Hoffman Award in 2009 and a finalist position in the Loewe Craft Prize in 2018. Duong's creations, characterized by their unique material narratives and intricate designs, have been acquired by prestigious institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and are displayed in collections worldwide, from the Qatar museums to the New York Museum of Arts and Design. His "lemitcA" series, which repurposes yogurt drink containers into elaborate jewelry pieces, showcases Duong's ability to elevate everyday materials into art, reflecting his philosophy of finding beauty and value in the overlooked.
Elly Glossop (Ceramics)
Elly Glossop, a British/Australian ceramic artist based in Copenhagen, crafts ethereal works inspired by geological phenomena. Educated at the Royal Danish Art Academy and holding an MA from the Royal College of Art (2020), her creations explore the interplay between reality and imagination through the fluidity of porcelain slip. Glossop's intuitive approach transforms traditional ceramic techniques into novel expressions, blurring the lines between surface and substance. Her acclaimed work, recognized by the RJ Washington Prize and the Franz Rising Award, among others, has been showcased internationally. Glossop's studio, her experimental "laboratory," continues to push the boundaries of ceramic art, delving into themes of memory, dream, and the ephemeral nature of existence.
Herman Hemsen (Jewellery)
Herman Hemsen, born in 1953 in Nijmegen, Netherlands, is a distinguished figure in the field of jewelry design, having studied at the Akademie voor Beeldende Kunsten in Arnhem. Before retiring, he served as a professor of product and jewelry design at the University of Applied Sciences in Dusseldorf. Hemsen's innovative approach to jewelry, which combines contemporary interpretations of traditional values and crafts with expressive design, has earned his works a place in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Marzee Collection, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. His creations, ranging from unique pieces to serial manufacturing, are driven by a constant pursuit of new concepts and technical solutions, exploring themes from the meaning of jewelry to critiques of materialistic values, often infused with humor and anecdote.
Mari Ishikawa (Jewellery)
Mari Ishikawa, born in Japan in 1964, is a renowned jewelry artist whose work is deeply influenced by her cultural heritage. After completing her Master's at Nara University of Education, she furthered her studies in jewelry making at Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry, Japan, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich under Otto Künzli, graduating as a Masterstudent in 2001. Ishikawa's artistry has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Herbert Hoffmann Prize and the Böhmler Art Award. Her creations, part of esteemed collections like the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim and the Pinakothek Der Moderne, Munich, intertwine traditional Japanese elements with contemporary design, exploring themes of relationships and nature's transient beauty. Drawing inspiration from classical Japanese literature and using materials like Kozo paper and lacquer, Ishikawa's work is a poetic exploration of time, nature, and cultural identity, capturing the essence of change and the delicate interplay between tradition and modernity.
Jenny Jansson (Jewellery)
Jenny Jansson, a jewelry artist holding an MFA from HDK-Valand, Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg, Sweden, explores the intersection of jewelry art and contemporary digital culture. While traditional jewelry is known for its meticulous craftsmanship and slow creation processes, Jansson examines how modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with their quick bursts of content, influence our perceptions and behaviors. Her work delves into themes of online projection, digital escapism, and the contrast between the intricacies of jewelry making and the instant gratification of digital experiences. Through her art, she prompts viewers to reflect on the impact of digital media on our lives.
Wenyin Jiang (Jewellery)
Wenyin Jiang, transitioning from economist to a forward-thinking jewellery designer and gemologist, operates between London and Shanghai. Her academic journey at Central Saint Martins led to the creation of "Nibiru," a unique wearable art collection that synthesizes her logical background with her newfound artistic expression. This innovative series blends electronic components with traditional materials like metal and gemstones, crafting an immersive experience that challenges the conventional boundaries of jewellery. "Nibiru" stands out for its interactive elements, employing both physical and electronic sounds to engage the wearer's multisensory perceptions, marking a new chapter in jewellery design that merges technology with tactile artistry.
Seonyong Lee (Jewellery)
Seonyong Lee is a jewelry artist with a rich educational background and extensive exhibition experience. With a D.F.A. in Metal Craft from Seoul National University, an M.F.A. in Jewelry and Objects from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a B.F.A. in Metal Art and Design from Hong-ik University, Lee's academic journey has shaped his artistic vision. His solo exhibitions, including "Silly Silicone" and "Cast Skin Series," along with participation in numerous group exhibitions worldwide, showcase his innovative approach to jewelry making. Lee's diverse work explores themes of materiality, identity, and digital culture, reflecting his deep engagement with contemporary artistic discourse.
Joanna Manousis (Jewellery, Glass Art)
Joanna Manousis, a British-American artist, harnesses the medium of glass to delve into the dichotomy between human nature and the tangible world, focusing on themes of luxury, impermanence, and self-reflection. Her work, recognized by nominations from the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation and Bombay Sapphire for 'Excellence in Glass', among others, employs glass's unique properties to both expose and shield, inviting viewers into introspective engagement with her pieces. Manousis's art has graced international stages, from Design Miami to Art Basel, supported by prestigious residencies including the Toledo Museum of Art and the Corning Museum of Glass. Holding an MFA from Alfred University and a Bachelor's in Fine Art-Glass from the University of Wolverhampton, her career spans continents, embodying a global perspective in her exploration of growth, emotion, and mortality.
Felicia Mülbaier (Jewellery, Sculptures)
Felicia Mülbaier was born in Speyer (Germany) in 1988. Between 2011 and 2015, Felicia Mülbaier studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, where she received a Bachelor of Arts. In 2019, she completed her studies with the Master of Fine Arts in Gemstones and Jewellery at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Idar- Oberstein Campus. As part of her artistic training and development, she spent time abroad at the Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg (Swe- den) and the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn. When she makes jewellery, she use primarily the media stone and textile to express her artistic vision. She accompanies her creative process with drawings. Her works – shown internationally since 2014 – have already received numerous awards
Peter Machata (Jewellery)
Born in 1971 in Nové Zámky, Slovakia, Peter Machata lives and works in Stupava (SK). After graduating from the School of Applied Arts in Bratislava in 1991, he studied sculpture under direction of professor Jankovič at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava, where he became assistant between 2000 and 2003 at the AFAD Research Centre in Bratislava. Since 2003, he has been working in this institution, in the Department of Digital Technologies. Since 1992, he has regularly participated in international exhibitions and has initiated numerous symposia in the field of contemporary jewellery and sculpture.
Peleg Matityahu (Jewellery)
Peleg Mercedes Matityahu, an Israeli artist and goldsmith born in 1992, intertwines her personal narrative with her craft, drawing from a traumatic head injury that led to short-term memory loss. Graduating with a BA in Jewelry Design from Shenkar College in 2021, her work, particularly the "Memory Holder" graduation project, reflects her journey through repetitive, wearable art forms. This project garnered international acclaim, earning her the Marzee Graduate Prize and was showcased at the International Graduate Show of Galerie MARZEE. Peleg's achievements include an AICF scholarship for outstanding jewelry artistry and a residency at INTRO gallery by Galerie Marzee, Amsterdam. Her work, celebrated internationally, resides in various private collections.
Gitte Nygaard (Jewellery)
Gitte Nygaard, a multifaceted artist and goldsmith trained at Georg Jensen in Copenhagen, transcends traditional boundaries to explore the dynamic interplay between humans and objects. Graduating from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy's Art Jewellery Department in 2002, she now thrives as an independent artist, educator, and collaborator on global art projects. Gitte's work, deeply rooted in the concept of jewellery, adopts a comprehensive approach to creativity, leading to notable collaborations in cities like Durban, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris. Her innovative projects have garnered nominations for prestigious awards such as the ‘Rotterdam Designprijs’ and ‘Doen Materiaalprijs,’ and she won the ‘Design and Crafts Biennale’ in Copenhagen in 2013 with ‘Makers Move,’ highlighting her significant contributions to contemporary art and design.
Ineke Otte (Jewellery)
Ineke Otte has been creating art in Amsterdam for over 25 years. She is well-versed in a spectrum of artistic media including clothing, interior design, and sculpture, in addition to her well-known jewelry work. Otte’s jewelry aims to surprise, and never fails to impress with the way she transforms her thoughts and feelings into extraordinary wearable ornaments. She often incorporates nature’s gifts - such as flowers, bamboo, and green grass - into her jewelry work, that captures the intense beauty in the world around us.
Liana Pattihis (Jewellery)
Crafting her designs with a seamless interplay between inspiration and the versatile medium of enamel, Liana Pattihis brings forth a collection that exudes organic charm. Enthralled by enamel's adaptability, she orchestrates each piece with an intuitive spontaneity, allowing the material's fusion to shape her creations organically. Layer by layer, enamel lends form, structure, and depth, infusing the work with newfound resilience and texture. Embracing the material's delicate nature, she transforms fragility into a unique strength, endowing her pieces with a sense of preciousness. Through this creative journey, Liana unveils a portfolio that marries artistry with the captivating allure of enamel.
Michaela Pegum (Jewellery, Sculptures)
Michaela Pegum is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in jewelry, sculptures, and performance art. With a background in dance and somatics, her work delves into the pre-verbal realm of human experience, where connections between objects and sensations remain fluid and vibrant. Drawing on her deep intuitive understanding of the natural world, Michaela explores the intimate relationship between beings and their environment. Through experimental material processes, she investigates the sensory qualities and transformative potential of various substances, collaborating with environmental forces to create evocative metal-textile blends and sculptures. Her work illuminates the nuances of becoming, inviting viewers to contemplate the liminal spaces of transformation and unknowing.
Katja Prins (Jewellery)
Katja Prins, a Dutch artist born in Haarlem in 1970, specializes in jewelry design. Trained in traditional techniques at the Vakschool of Schoonhoven, she furthered her studies at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam (1993-1997). Currently based in Amsterdam, Prins explores the intricate relationship between humanity and technology in her work. Through a repertoire of forms characterized by rigor and sharp beauty, she delves into questions of hybridity and the evolving dynamics between humans and machines. Her pieces are featured in prominent private collections and permanent museum exhibits worldwide, including the MAD Museum in New York and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Uli Rapp (Jewellery)
Uli Rapp is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is fascinated by the magnificence of the decorative elements in Elizabethan dress. Rapp’s collections have developed rapidly, featuring a sophisticated style and an innovative use of materials: She invented a technique to apply medical plastic between layers of textiles. Her necklaces and earrings juxtapose her beloved antique gemstones and pearls with chunky chains. All pieces are skilfully handmade in screen print on soft, lightweight fabrics. The combination of a contemporary artist’s tools with a hint of past grandeur makes for titillating jewellery—conversation pieces for bold wearers. Rapp received her master’s degree in jewellery design from the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam.
Jolynn Santiago (Jewellery)
Jolynn Santiago is an accomplished artist, jeweler, and educator with twelve years of experience in the field. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Kent State University (KSU) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling in 2013, she received the Research and Scholarly Activity Grant during her time at KSU. After gaining valuable experience as a bench jeweler in New York City, she pursued graduate studies at SUNY New Paltz, where she received the Master of Fine Arts Scholarship and two Creative Project Awards. Santiago graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2019 and subsequently served as an artist-in-residence at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Currently based in Vermont, she continues to create innovative work and teach at various institutions, including the Shelburne Craft School and the Generator in Burlington. Her work has garnered international recognition, with exhibitions in prestigious venues such as Schmuck 2023 in Munich, Germany, and Melting Point Valencia in Spain, along with features in publications like Metalsmith Magazine and Autor Contemporary Jewelry Magazine.
Marianne Schliwinski (Jewellery)
Marianne Schliwinski's artistry thrives on the interplay of contrasts, where materials and their varied qualities serve as her expressive language. She deftly combines papier-mâché with found objects, enhanced by diverse paints and lacquers, to craft narratives that are both sensible and humorous, often with political undertones. Born in St. Peter-Ording, Germany in 1944, Schliwinski's journey began with goldsmithing apprenticeships before establishing her own studio in Munich in 1975. Her illustrious career includes prestigious awards such as the 'Jahrespreis der Danner-Stiftung' in 1976 and the 'Bayerischer Staatspreis' in 1991, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in contemporary art.
Deganit Stern Schocken (Jewellery)
Deganit Stern Schocken, a multifaceted creative force, excels as a jeweler, designer, artist, and educator. Born in 1947 on Kibbutz Amir, Israel, she currently resides in her homeland. Schocken's illustrious career includes founding and directing Shenkar College's Jewelry Design Department and chairing the Master in Design program. She holds degrees from Bezalel Academy of Art and Middlesex University. Schocken's artistic prowess is showcased in solo exhibitions like "How Many Is One" at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. A curator and co-founder of "Inyanim," she's celebrated internationally, earning prestigious awards and recognition, including being named one of "Haaretz" Magazine's 100 most influential figures in Israeli culture in 2013.
Carina Shoshtary (Jewellery)
Carina Shoshtary, a jewelry artist born in Augsburg, Germany, in 1979, finds inspiration in the intersection of urban grit and natural serenity. Growing up amidst the aftermath of the Berlin Wall's fall, she developed a fascination with guerrilla artwork, now reflected in her innovative creations. Utilizing reclaimed graffiti slabs from Munich's streets, Carina transforms them into intricate earrings, marrying urban motifs with organic textures inspired by her Bavarian forest surroundings. Trained as a goldsmith and mentored by Otto Künzli at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Carina's work has earned her prestigious awards and placements in renowned museum collections worldwide.
Florian Weichsberger (Jewellery)
Florian Weichsberger was born and raised in Umbria, Italy. Following his graduation from school, he enrolled at Kaufbeuren-Neugablonz State School for Glass and Jewellery. Florian knew after his technical training that he wanted to pursue a career in jewellery. He was delighted to find a place right away at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich under Otto Künzli. In his work, he explores a material until he finds an aspect that interests him. The way in which Florian sees different materials, such as plastic, ceramics, or jet, often depends on their characteristics or how they have traditionally been used. For example ceramics symbolizes food in day-to-day life and nature, through earth and soil. With his jewellery series, he combines different materials in a way that places the wearer physically in relation to their surroundings. His work was recognized with the Herbert Hofmann Prize in 2017.
Jessica Winchcombe (Jewellery)
Jessica Winchcombe is a versatile contemporary artist based in Queenstown, New Zealand. Graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Jewellery from Whitireia New Zealand Faculty of Art in 2010, she garnered accolades such as the Fingers graduate award and an invitation to the prestigious Marzee Annual International Graduation Show in the Netherlands. With her distinct jewellery style, Jessica has showcased her work internationally, including in Germany, Ireland, the UK, and Australia, and has been featured in exhibitions curated by Freeman and Fritsch. Her participation in Handshake, a global mentoring project, led to collaborations showcased at Schmuck International Jewellery Exhibition in Munich and other notable events. Jessica's artistic endeavors have also extended into painting and multidisciplinary works, showcased in solo exhibitions such as "Lost in Translation" during Munich Jewellery Week 2023.
