Reconsidering identity – a seminar on New Zealand contemporary jewellery

New Zealand is a distant and exciting country with a vital arts scene. This seminar gives a unique opportunity to get to know New Zealand contemporary jewellery through the perspectives of three leading authorities in the field. 

Presentation of the lecturers:

Liesbeth den Besten, Amsterdam, is a Dutch critic, curator, and lecturer, internationally renowned for her expertise in contemporary jewellery. She is the chairwoman of the Françoise van den Bosch Foundation for contemporary jewellery and a founding member of Think Tank: a European Initiative for the Applied Arts.

Warwick Freeman, Auckland, NZ, has been a practicing jeweller for more than 30 years. His work is characterized by the simplicity of symbol-like shapes and the use of indigenous materials. Continuously investigating the links between material, form, tradition, and social significance in jewellery he is today New Zealand’s most internationally acclaimed artist in his field.

Lisa Walker, Munich, received training as a jeweller at Otago Polytechnic, NZ, and der Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Munich. By altering and combining artefacts, found natural objects, rubbish, and precious materials, she makes highly personal pieces of jewellery, often shocking in their rejection of conventional aesthetics.