Winners of the Herbert Hofmann Prize 2023

Over 60 years, SCHMUCK is the world's most important exhibition of contemporary jewellery and is considered the most important exhibition in its field. With the Herbert Hofmann Award, the Trade Organization awards goldsmiths whose work is exemplary. The prize is considered the 'Oscar of jewellery awards' and is granted every year in March.
More than 200 jewellery artists, museum curators and gallery owners were present at the award ceremony. This year, the Herbert Hofmann Prize's Jury was composed by Markus Eder, Georg Dobler, Renate-Luckner-Bien, Chequita Nahar and Cornelie Holzach.

The Winners of the Herbert Hofmann Prize 2023:
 

• Tamara Marbl Joka and her brooch Mirror of the Past.

The brooch is made of concrete, silver and steel. Tamara Marbl Joka studies at the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo, Norway. She was born in the former Yugoslavia. Her personal experiences are reflected in the material and form of her brooch: the artist questions the idea that concrete is stronger than the violence of nature or war. The deceptive hope for stability literally cracks and refers to the artist's personal biography. She has survived earthquakes, war and a long migration and knows what it means when the concrete beneath you starts to move.
 

• Jutta Kallfelz for her three works Ruppert, Esra and Roxy.

The brooches are carved from birch, ebony and meerschaum. They show stylised rabbits in cut-out form. What can be seen are mainly the ears and backs of the animals, with which they essentially communicate. Although only fragmentary, they show the essential characteristics of these animals. Thanks to the reduction of form and dimension, portable small sculptures are created that also have an affectionate and humorous effect.
 

• Neke Moa from Aotearoa New Zealand. Her pendant Ngāti Pukana is linked to the cultural history of this country.

Driftwood, jade and shell are materials with a centuries-old jewellery design tradition there. Amulets and talismans also play an important role. The pendant Ngati Pukana is part of a group of works called Rākau whakarawe - Weapons of everyday life. Every day we face demands that require action, interaction and reaction. Neke Moa's jewellery, equipped with her special materials, is meant to fight and protect ourselves purposefully in our reality.


The press release and photos for download can be found in the press section of the Handwerk & Design website.