New Zealand contemporary jewellery to shine in Munich

New Zealand contemporary jewellery to shine in Munich

A large collection of New Zealand’s best contemporary jewellery will be on show during Munich’s internationally influential Jewellery Week, next month, with support from Creative New Zealand.

Four New Zealanders are among 67 international jewellers, from 31 countries, selected by the renowned Schmuck jewellery exhibition to present their work. The exhibition is part of the annual International Trade Fair for the Skilled Trades (Internationale Handwerksmesse München).

Jewellers Jane Dodd from Dunedin, Karl Fritsch and Kelly McDonald from Wellington and Shelley Norton from Auckland, will be joined by Te Papa Curator, Decorative Art and Design, Justine Olsen.

A combined exhibition of work by 12 New Zealand jewellers, Handshake 3, will also be opening at the Frame Galleries as part of Schmuck. Many of those exhibiting have previously presented work within the broader jewellery week. Handshake is the initiative of Wellington jeweller and educator Peter Deckers of Makers 101.

“New Zealand contemporary jewellers have an international reputation built on their success at this event over the past few years. We will be supporting these talented makers to build on this reputation, generate new connections, and find new markets for their work,” said Creative New Zealand Senior Manager, Arts Funding, International and Capability, Cath Cardiff.

The annual fair (Handwerksmesse) attracts the world’s top makers, curators, gallerists and collectors to see new work and to meet up-and-coming talents. This year’s fair will run from 8-14 March.

Creative New Zealand supports craft/object art curators to attend the fair and other jewellery week events to explore possibilities for international exchange, projects and exhibitions for New Zealand jewellery.

Handshake 3 is the culmination of two previous exhibitions from the Handshake project which, over three years, has supported the mentoring of emerging contemporary jewellers by experienced international practitioners.

Creative New Zealand will provide each jeweller and the curator attending Schmuck with a $4000 grant towards their international flights and accommodation while Makers 101 is funded by the multi-year investment programme Toi Uru Kahikatea.

Also on show in Munich, at Talente, will be work by emerging makers work sculptor Oliver Roake, graphic designer Caroline Konarkowska and glass artist George Agius.

Talente is one of Europe’s most prestigious showcases for emerging talent in design, technology and craft/object art. It runs in tandem with Schmuck as part of the annual fair.

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