In Memoriam of Jürgen Eickhoff

In November 1981, together with his wife, artist and jeweller Marianne Schliwinski, he founded Galerie Spektrum in Munich. Originally conceived as a gallery for contemporary craft, the programme soon focused exclusively on contemporary jewellery, a field they believed represented one of the most experimental and forward-thinking forms of artistic expression. Together, Jürgen Eickhoff and Marianne Schliwinski built not only a gallery, but a lasting partnership that would influence generations of artists and contribute significantly to the history of contemporary jewellery.

More than a gallery, Spektrum became a place where artists could develop over time. Jürgen Eickhoff believed that a gallery should not simply reflect the field, it should help shape it. Instead of following trends, he built long-term relationships with artists, encouraging them to think beyond the single object and to consider jewellery within a broader artistic context. Exhibitions often brought together jewellery with drawings, sculpture, objects and photography, revealing the breadth of each artist's practice.

This philosophy was reflected in the artists he chose to support, often long before they became widely recognised. Galerie Spektrum hosted Ruudt Peters' first solo exhibition and supported figures such as Peter Skubic, Anton Cepka, Mari Ishikawa or Georg Dobler, whose work would later become recognised as pioneering within contemporary jewellery. His choices were guided less by a genuine curiosity for ideas that challenged established ways of thinking.

Alongside the gallery, Eickhoff developed his own artistic practice. Having first studied geology before attending the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, he brought an acute sensitivity to material and structure into his jewellery. His work explored the relationship between order and chaos, demonstrating how the smallest disruption can transform an entire structure and create a new balance. Looking back, it is difficult not to see this same philosophy reflected in the way he approached the gallery, believing that meaningful change often begins by questioning what already exists.

His commitment extended well beyond the walls of Galerie Spektrum. As a lecturer, curator and active participant in the jewellery community, he never hesitated to express constructive criticism whenever he believed it could improve conditions for artists, galleries and audiences alike. His reflections on exhibitions and art fairs were always thoughtful, practical and driven by a genuine desire to strengthen the field rather than defend personal interests.

Those who knew Jürgen Eickhoff speak above all of his generosity, curiosity and remarkable humility. He seemed to understand the role of the gallerist not as an intermediary, but as a partner to artists, creating the conditions for artists and their work to find their place and their audience. In many ways, he became one of those essential figures who quietly hold a community together.

In 2021, Galerie Spektrum celebrated its 40th anniversary, a milestone that reflected not only the longevity of the gallery but also the consistency of Eickhoff's vision. Independent, intellectually rigorous and deeply committed to artists, the gallery remained true to its identity while continuing to evolve alongside the people it represented.

Jürgen Eickhoff leaves behind far more than an exceptional gallery programme or an important body of work. His legacy lives on through the artists he championed, the careers he helped shape, his contributions to public collections in Germany through donations and curatorial collaborations with the Danner-Stiftung and Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, and the countless conversations he inspired. It is a reminder that contemporary jewellery continues to grow through curiosity, trust and the courage to question established forms. 

His legacy lives on through the artists he and Marianne championed, the careers they helped shape, and their commitment to strengthening public collections in Germany. Together, they donated around ninety works from their private collection to Die Neue Sammlung in Munich in 1995, following an earlier donation by Peter Skubic, helping establish a place for contemporary jewellery within the museum's holdings. At a time when contemporary jewellery had little presence in the museum, these donations helped pave the way for the Danner Rotunde, the Jewelry Space at Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.

Our thoughts are with Marianne Schliwinski, Jürgen's family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched.

The funeral ceremony will be held on 28 August at 2 pm at the Central Cemetery in Karlsruhe.