Collected by Joanna Gollberg

Artist list

Joanna Gollberg

San Francisco’s Velvet da Vinci is proud to present Joanna Gollberg: Collected, An Exploration of Travel Through Jewelry.

Joanna Gollberg’s most recent body of work considers the experiences of travel, observation, and enlightenment through the form of jewelry. Inspired by her own personal collection of coral, shells, and other keepsakes gathered while traveling the world, the exhibition will feature an exciting new series created from precious and semi precious materials, as well as found objects. Found in Mexico, Western North Carolina, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, these tokens serve as a physical reminder of the place from which they came, their histories, and the artist’s connection to each experience. The exhibition will also include a selection of documentary photographs, taken by the artist on each trip.

On this pivotal new body of work, Gollberg writes:

“I had never before given myself permission to use (these elements) in my jewelry, because they were physical objects that kept me connected to places that made my whole heart feel crushingly full... I chose to use techniques that I rarely employ in my day to day jewelry making life—mold making, wax carving, casting, enameling which gave me deep pleasure. I freely used gemstones and materials that suited each piece,disregarding any pre-planned price structure... The results are twofold: I am spiritually refreshed and ready to re-enter my work life anew, and I have created a body of work that is personally meaningful, yet still beautiful and true to my aesthetic.”

With a Jewelry Design degree from FIT in New York City, Gollberg has been creating and exhibiting unique wearable objects since 1997. A well-known and respected author, she has written four books on handcrafted jewelry: Making Metal Jewelry, Creative Metal Crafts, The Art & Craft of Making Jewelry, and The Ultimate Jeweler's Guide. Her work has been included in gallery and museum exhibitions across the US and has been featured in international publications such as Art Jewelry Magazine, Lapidary Journal, Ornament Magazine, 1000 Rings, 500 Wedding Rings, 500 Enameled Objects, and 21st Century Jewelry. Currently based out of Asheville, North Carolina, the artist also teaches at noted craft institutions such as the Penland School of Crafts and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.