CLUSTER JEWELLERY JOURNAL

 

2023

Delving into the world of contemporary jewellery, Lydia Martin and Chien-Yu Liu illuminate the boundaries of craftsmanship and creativity, with their pieces serving as a testament to the dynamic fusion of resilience, personal experience, and material exploration.

Exploring the interwoven narratives of Lorena Jarpa and Ekaterina Korzh, two creative minds in contemporary jewellery design, whose journeys of self-discovery and exploration reflect in their unique pieces.

Unfolding the creative journeys of Osian Efnisien and Misaki Nomoto, two audacious jewellery designers pushing boundaries in their craft, transforming the overlooked into extraordinary wearable art.

Ray Zheng and Sophie van Dooren are two innovative jewellery designers who challenge conventional design by emphasizing intimacy and personal expression while capturing the fragile relationship between humanity and nature.

 

The world of contemporary jewellery design is a space for self-expression and experimentation, as seen in the work of Anna Zeibig and Joana Pires, both part of our Cluster family. Anna's work celebrates the interconnectedness of the universe and human experience, while Joana's work is raw, experimental, and playful. Both designers showcase the limitless possibilities of wearable art, inviting wearers to be part of an unfolding narrative.

Charo Casteres and Carol Kingsbury Gwizdak's designs are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with the environment and the preciousness of the natural world.

We take a look at Cluster Exhibitors Seonguen Kim and Raquel Bessudo and how feelings and emotions inform their designs.

 

Jeremy Isamu Irvin’s mesmerising dance of light, form, and unconventional materials meet Kinga Huber's thought-provoking experimentation in the world of contemporary jewellery design.

Uncovering the nuanced artistry of Lavinia Bo and Sol Nova Studio, two ground-breaking jewellery designers who weave tangible narratives and illuminate unseen aesthetics in their unique wearable masterpieces.

Shu Wang and Patricia Iglesias push the boundaries of traditional design, transforming it into a dynamic fusion of art, fashion, and storytelling, where the body becomes a canvas and the jewellery a language to convey complex narratives and experiences.

SNAKE1NTHE3Y3 and X Kalina are two innovative designers who challenge traditional design norms, creating unique, genderless, and captivating accessories through their unconventional approach to jewellery and leatherwork.

 

The styles of Paula Castro and Kate Bennett stand out for their uniqueness and inventiveness. Castro's work reflects her deep sensitivity to nature and the human experience, while Bennett's pieces draw from her diverse background in metalsmithing and costumery.

Cluster Jewellery designers Emma McGilchrist and Fabiana Fusco investigate how various materials can convey memories and stories, even on canvases just a few centimetres in size.

 

We look at two designers inspired by very different qualities in nature. Officine 19 looks to the repeating, infinite patterns of earth and outer space, while Mihaela Grama homes in on the imperfections of plants and flowers. 

We look at two talented designers, Marika Tiukkanen and Polly Weinan Pan, who use precious materials to tell stories about history, culture, and the art of making 

 

A look inside the imaginative minds of two of our Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Exhibitors, Rekami Stworzone and Bianca-Maria Bolum.

Looking at two different approaches by Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Exhibitors Alise Kennedy and Faye Hall towards creating jewellery with fabrics and threads.

 

2022

 

Miao Yang – an artist based in Beijing, China, rose from the ashes of the year 2020 on stage thanks to her immaculate pieces and one-of-a-kind techniques, a mixture of drawings and crafts, which immediately caught the eye of the Cluster’s team. This “artistic melting pot defined by the sole necessity to express and provoke” resonated with the curatorial vision of going back to the roots – “Ars Gratia Artis”.

Mayumi Okuyama creates elegant and yet bold pieces that are influenced by different mediums, styles and textures. One of the main focuses on her designs is to capture the essence and simplicity of each material that is based on shapes derived from daily life, self-image, memories, and reminiscences. We decided to catch up with her and ask her some questions about her life, art and her future projects.
Here’s what she shared:

 

MAY - JUNE 2021

 
Article Release: 17h June

Article Release: 17h June

We have come to the end of our selection and after an interesting journey
getting to know the previous shortlisted artists we’re excited to finally present the winner! This is Cluster London Getting to know… Claudia Lepik,
winner of the first edition of the Cluster Jewellery Residency Programme.

Article Release: 18h May

Article Release: 18h May

This is Cluster London Getting to know Brunella Alfinito, one of the shortlisted artists from the first edition of the Cluster Jewellery Residency Programme.

Article Release: 9th June

Article Release: 9th June

This is Cluster London Getting to know Christoph Straube, one of the shortlisted artists from the first edition of the Cluster Jewellery Residency Programme.

 

APRIL 2021

JANUARY 2021

 
Article Release: 29th April

Article Release: 29th April

Cluster London launches a new series of interviews titled Getting to Know…
Here we'll take a closer look at the winner and shortlisted artists
from the first edition of our Cluster Jewellery Artist in Residence Project.
This is Cluster London Getting to Know... Rita Soto.

 

Article Release: 16th January

Cluster Jewellery is pleased to welcome Director of K2 Academy, Kelvin J Birk to our Artist in Residency Programme as a jury mentor. K2 Academy offers a new approach to professional jewellery training located in Cockpit Arts Studio. Applications open till 20th January. 

 
 

OCT/NOV/DEC 2020

 

Article Release: 8th December

Evincing London's vibrancy are its galleries and creative spaces, each one bringing a unique perspective to the scene. One such gallery is Gallery S O, a commercial art gallery that champions contemporary jewellery similarly to the way in which other galleries champion contemporary art.

 

Article Release: 14th November

As the founding directors of K2 Jewellery School in central London, both Kelvin Birk and Katrin Spranger have an impressive repertoire of expertise to draw upon. They overlap in their creative outputs and their love of making, but their practices and journeys deviate greatly.

 

Article Release: 10th November

Here we highlight some of the jewellers who are combining their love of design and technology and using 3D printing to create intricate wearables.

 
Article Release: 27th October Image: Biba Schutz | Black Score | Photo Ron Boszko | Adornment

Article Release: 27th October
Image: Biba Schutz | Black Score | Photo Ron Boszko | Adornment

Cluster Contemporary Jewellery is pleased to present curatorial project A/dornment launching the first of our digital residency programme. Gain an insight into A/dornment, it’s curatorial projects, exhibitions and events circling the contemporary jewellery sector. Over the next four weeks, A/dornment collaborates with Cluster Jewellery conveying key insights and poignant themes to make its mark in the realm of wearable art.

 

Article Release: 6th October

Cluster Jewellery welcomes Daniella Wells to the journal. Hear from Daniella as she gives insight into the recent shift from precious and fine jewellery to Contemporary Jewellery, why and its future.

 

Article Release: 17th November

Adornment Jewellery, a curatorial project dedicated to contemporary art jewellery provides a platform to showcase the contemporary jewellery field.

 

Article Release: 7th November

How does a jewellery piece become a work of art? It’s not an easy feat to accomplish, but Alison Brown’s jewellery inventions gracefully oscillate between art object and fashion jewellery in a way that not many can achieve. Her works evoke a playfulness that dances between substance and surface, highlighting the characteristics of its material composition whilst telling a story with its representational forms.

 

Article Release: 20th October
Images: TL: About Volumes - Georgia Chinalleto | BL: Cutting Edge - Fiorenzo De Luca | R: Ironically Iconic - Cristina Galliena Bohman

A/dornment is a curatorial integrated project dedicated to contemporary art jewellery. Founded by Ilaria Ruggiero, it aims to develop the knowledge and consciousness of contemporary jewellery as artistic discipline and as ground search for technique, aesthetics and philosophy.

 

Article Release: 17th October

Cluster is pleased to welcome Eva Fernandez, Cluster Artist & Exhibitor, to our journal.
Eva is a mechanical engineer retrained as a jewellery designer living in the UK. Hear her insights into contemporary jewellery within the UK in the current climate.

 

Article Release: 3rd October

Cluster Jewellery is pleased to present experienced jewellery industry innovation professional Gay Penfold to our journal. With over 24 years in the jewellery / luxury goods / allied trades industry, Gay has an extensive knowledge in innovation, new product development and 3D technologies. Previously as Manager of the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) at Birmingham City University, Gay is now a member of the British Hallmarking Council. Hear from Gay as she unfolds insights into the Craft Council’s “Market for Craft” report, details on British Hallmarking and application of 3D technologies within the jewellery sector.