Creativity always comes from a character. Esther Heite, winner of Klimt02 JPlus Emerging Talent Award 2019, interviewed by Klimt02

What do you expect when you show your work to the public (for example, with an exhibition)?
I love to see the unbiased view on my pieces, which I had lost when something is finished.


How important is handmade for you in your development? What role does technics and
technology play in your development?
My approach is that everything, the technics as well as my own hands are nothing more than tools I need to deploy right through the process of my work. My body has fundamentally different abilities that the machine has. The machine just follows my order. That can help to increase efficiency, to reduce laborious work. But there are things that are not plannable where there is no schema or pattern. Then spontaneity, intuition and sensual feelings are required. Until now I use computer-based technology only for the organization of my legwork. Creativity always comes from a character.  


When you start making a new piece what is your process? How much of it is a pre-formulated plan and how much do you let the material spontaneity lead you?
That’s an exciting question. In the past, I had the wish to have it all from A-Z in my head and then just to realise it. But I don’t want to be too logic - that may at some point become boring. And on the other side not too spontaneous so that your work can look random. Sometimes it’s a dilemma to find your way. In reality, the process becomes so important. There is much to discover between the steps, like little presents, new characteristics of material or techniques. And then it can bring you to your previous thoughts. That’s the most fun part.  


How important is wearability in contemporary jewellery? And in your pieces?
Wearability is only one of several aims in jewellery. The body-related artwork is always a special communicator because it includes the wearer. In my pieces reproduction and wearability form a pair. And I am pleased to many participants of my jewellery pieces. I have the goal that my ideas should work as both- as complex piece as well as simple and small.  


What/who is the biggest influence in your career?
I never had heroes that were far away from me. Usually, people in my direct environment influence me. Fellow students, friends, but also teachers and my husband, because he is my sharpest critic. But I love discussions. I heard from a wise man who told that anyone who increases knowledge increases sorrow.


What is your source to get information?
I love to go to the library at the university. There is so many literature also from other fields of knowledge that are relevant to the topics that you deal with. Always good to know the thoughts that others made also from a quite different time.