Manon van Kouswijk

Jeweller

Published: 01.11.2007

: Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Heart Beads, 2019
Wood, tread.
Photo by: Manon van Kouswijk
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Making Faces: A Jewellery Playbook, 2018
Porcelain clay, pigment, ceramic pencil, glaze, thread.
45 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm
Photo by: Fred Kroh
From series: Making Faces: A Jewellery Playbook
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Alternative view.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Making Faces: A Jewellery Playbook, 2018
Plastic beads, cut and glued.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
From series: Making Faces: A Jewellery Playbook

The entire series consists of 50 pieces.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Making Faces: A Jewellery Playbook, 2018
Porcelain clay, pigment, ceramic pencil, glaze, thread.
45 x 1 x 1 cm
Photo by: Fred Kroh
From series: Making Faces: A Jewellery Playbook
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Chunky Daisy no.5, 2016
Porcelain, glaze, thread.
41 cm long
Photo by: Fred Kroh
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Pearl Grey, 2009
Porcelain, glass, ivory, plastic, pearls
31 cm long
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Perles d'Artiste no 5, 2009
Modeling porcelain, ceramic pencil, glaze.
Beads are made with 10 fingers
34 cm long
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Earrings: Pink Pair, 2009
Porcelain, Silver
ø 1,2 cm
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Object: Lady Grey
Porcelain
8,5 x 8,5 cm
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Object: Egg spoon, 2003
Porcelain
4,5 x 18 cm
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon Van Kouswijk
Necklace: Re-verse, 2013
porcelain, pigment
photography: Jeremy Dillon
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Object: Room Service
Porcelain object
(piece size)
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Trophée no 6, 2012
Porcelain, thread
Length of the necklace:430 mm, diameter of the seg
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk
Necklace: Perles d'Artiste no 4
Modeling porcelain, ceramic pencil, glaze.
Beads are made with 8 fingers
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.

Manon van Kouswijk. Object: Egg Spoon, 2003. Porcelain. 3 x 13 cm.

Statement

I like to think that it's possible to reinvent jewellery, despite the fact that its archetypal forms and motifs haven't fundamentally changed throughout its long history. These archetypes to me are like templates that I use for translations of the jewellery types I work from (for example the beaded necklace). I explore the visual and conceptual potential of these existing jewellery forms and motifs and translate them through a range of materials, processes, and ideas.
The traces of the making process are often visible in the work. The imperfection of the handmade, present in marks of fingerprints and moulds, is an integral part of the objects.
While originating from a conceptual approach to making at the same time my works embrace the sensual qualities of jewellery objects in the use of colour, their weight, sound, rhythm, and material expression.
An integral aspect of my practice is the framing and contextualising of the work through the making of exhibitions and artist publications often in collaboration with other artists and designers. My artist books feature found and made photographs and drawings to trace and reimagine the presence of jewellery and other personal possessions in private settings, in museums, and in popular culture.

CV

Manon van Kouswijk, 1967, Warnsveld, The Netherlands.

Education
1990-1995 Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam.
1994 Gaststudent at the Munich Arts Academy with professor Otto Künzli.
1990 Work experience at the studio of Ruudt Peters, Amsterdam.
1985-1990 MTS Vakschool Schoonhoven ( goldsmithing education).

Solo exhibitions (selection):
2021 The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2019 “Findings” at Taller Eloi jewellery school Buenos Aires Argentina. “A Jewellery Playbook ACT3”, Gallery RA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2018 “Making Faces – a jewellery playbook”, Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia. “The Possibility of Someone” Gallery SO, London UK.
2016 "In Order Of Appearance" Galerie RA, Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2015 “Findings” Launch of artist book + exhibition, Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia. “Out of the Office” gallery RA at the Art Fair Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2014 "2 Minds 4 Hands" Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia, joint exhibition with Lucy Sarneel. "Out of the Office" at The Other Side Melbourne Australia. Joint exhibition with Roseanne Bartley at The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2013 "Signature Beads & Ornamental Residue" Gallery Ra during the 'Schmuck' fair in Munich Germany and the Art Fair in Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2012 "Perles d'Artiste" Objectspace Auckland New Zealand. "Perles d'Artiste" The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2011 "Artefacts of life" Gallery Platina Stockholm Sweden. "Bead the System" Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia.
2010 "Hanging Around" Gallery Ra Amsterdam The Netherlands.

Works in the collections
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Stedelijk Museum Den Bosch, The Netherlands / Dutch Textile Museum, Tilburg, The Netherlands / Foundation Françoise van den Bosch, The Netherlands /ABN-AMRO Art Collection, The Netherlands / Røsska Museet Gøteborg Sweden / FNAC, Paris, France / NGV Melbourne Australia / Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide Australia / Musée des Arts Decoratifs Marseille France / NGA Canberra Australia / Victoria & Albert Museum London UK / Powerhouse Museum Sydney Australia / Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Australia.

Events

Publications

APPRECIATE

APPLICATION CLOSED

A Jewellery Playbook. ACT 3 by Manon van Kouswijk.

: Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS