Robert Smit

Bio

Robert Smit (Delft, the Netherlands, 1941) occupies a special place in the Dutch post-war jewellery scene. He didn’t submit to the tendency of using non-precious materials such as aluminium or perspex; he remained loyal to gold. Therefore his work overlaps more with eg. Italian or German designers. He also makes painting and drawings; these techniques are again used in his jewellery. One of the leading goldsmiths of his day, Dutch artist Robert Smit takes an approach that blurs the boundaries of the discipline of traditional jewelry making with architecture, painting, and sculpture. Defined by vivid color, orthogonal lines, and vibrant gold, Smit creates graphic designs, translating the two-dimensional into three-dimensions in works that oftentimes echo the playful and poetic paintings of modernist artists of the day.

Statement

The quality of a piece of jewelry is never related to its functionality. The challenge is in imagining what an ornament can be. Jewelry is an object that transcends utility. The essence of my work is just part of my way of thinking and doing. It is my personal history that leads to choices I make. I make no distinction in whether it’s a drawing or a piece of jewelry. Therefore, they are close to each other.