By Sabina Elago
WINDHOEK– The ongoing “Five of a kind” bi-annual jewelry group exhibition is on the next level, showcasing the work of five Namibian goldsmiths and jewelry designers at the Omba Gallery.
This year the bi-annual jewelry group exhibition is called “Five of a kind + 1”, with a guest designer joining the exhibition. The exhibition which opened on April 16 is showing contemporary jewelry of six designers. All went to a great extent in using new materials and unique design concepts.Every designer presentthe precious pieces on different backgrounds, from a rural background to artistically created work of arts. It is an exhibition to look forward to, with exclusive new collections on display.
ForAttila Giersch the possibilities and limits of stainless steel in combination with silver, gold and big Namibian precious stones is the challenging topic. “My jewels arebig, flashy and elegant,” she says.
Heike Lukaschik is exploring the field of colour as she uses different materials mediums such as paint, silicone and unusual combinations of coral, stones and pearls. “Colour accents are used thoughtfully to highlight or to compare. Different textile structures are applied and transferred to silver and aluminum to add subtle textures anddetails to the jewelry as they are delicate, detailed and delightful,” says Lukaschik.
For the scene painter that creates murals on request,Sylvia von Kuehne,the most important ingredients in every work of art are flexibility, creativity and originality. “On this exhibitionI concentrated mainly on ear jewelry and displays them on paintings depicting beautiful façades of ladies,” she says.
“I am showing my favourite technique, riveting, including other techniques like printing patterns onto metal, which is then oxidised to bring out the imageas I intensively work with the riveting technique,” says Frieda Luhlis.
Stefan Dietzlooks at the diverse nature and all its precious materials such as diamonds, precious stones, shell and ivory. He is showing the rough contrasting surfaces of the Namibian landscapes, clearly showing the bold colours of our sunsets in his jewelry. “I combined the genuine Namibian materials with precious metals to present the whole precious Namibia in each of my jewelry pieces.”
The guest designer, Elze Eigelaar, from South Africa believes jewelry tells a story too. “I work with semi-precious stones, pearls, silver, copper, brass and gold and often use thread, string and foundobjects in my work. I think a jewelry piece can tell a unique story on different wearers,” says Elze who grew up in a small town in the Karoo, Graaff-Reinet, South Africa, and graduated in 2011 with a degree in BA Jewelry Design and Metal Technique from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The exhibition runs until April 30.