Nukleus by Therese Hilbert and Otto Künzli

Artist list

Therese Hilbert, Otto Künzli

Therese Hilbert and Otto Künzli are Swiss artists who live and work in Munich. For 45 years, they have worked side by side, creating some of the most inflluential contemporary jewellery of the era.

Speaker: Dr. Petra Hölscher,
Die Neue Sammlung -
The Design Museum, München

Therese Hilbert is a Swiss-born artist working and living in Munich. Her career began as a jewellery student in Switzerland, later studying at the Akademie der bildenden Künste, Munich, under the renowned goldsmith Hermann Jünger. Her work has been widely exhibited and collected since 1973. Therese’s strong artistic vision and flawless technical skill has seen her become one of the most respected contemporary jewellers working today.

Otto Künzli is one of the most renowned and respected jewellers working today. The Swiss-trained, Munich-based artist has created truly iconic examples of contemporary jewellery. Künzli’s minimalist, yet meticulously crafted work references cultural phenomena, utilising the power of metaphor and iconography with wit and sophistication. As director of the Jewellery department at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste Munich from 1991 to 2014, he taught a number of prominent contemporary jewellers including Lisa Walker, Karl Fritsch and Helen Britton.  In March 2013 his major retrospective titled The Exhibition showcased his extensive ouerve and was accompanied by The Book, a comprehensive catalogue documenting a career spanning over 40 years.