The 27th edition of the International Amberif Jewellery Design Award Competition was a record-breaker in terms of the number of entries - 229 artists from 32 countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, China, Argentina, Iran, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, among others, submitted 295 works.
The theme of the competition, „Symbol of Hope”, became an opportunity for artists to reflect on the condition of the modern world and the role of jewellery as a carrier of important messages and manifestations of views. In the face of the various challenges posed to us by modern times, the symbol of hope becomes an extremely important motif, reminding us of the strength, perseverance, faith and ability to overcome internal weaknesses and resist external threats," concluded Monika Szpatowicz, curator of the Amberif fair, at which the competition has been held for 27 years.
The competition jury, which included: Katharina Kielmann from Vienna - art historian, curator of jewellery exhibitions, Carina Shosthary from Munich - goldsmith, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts there, Anders Ljungberg from Stockholm - professor at the Department of Jewellery and Objects at Konstfack University, and Sergiusz Kuchczynski from Łódź - head of the Jewellery Studio at the Institute of Jewellery at the Academy of Fine Arts there, qualified 26 works by 25 artists for the exhibition and awarded the following prizes:
Grand Prix - Award of the Mayor of the City of Gdańsk: Tadeusz Jaskowiak for the pendant „Inclusion”
The winning work is a pendant whose central element is a silver gun trigger. Placed in a strategic position, a piece of natural amber prevents the gun from firing, while at the same time being the main decorative element of the work. The extraordinary power of the work's message and its universal appeal moved the jury, and the high quality of the work's craftsmanship only confirmed their decision.
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Silver Award - 1 kg of silver funded by the International Gdansk Fair SA: Miriam Arentz for the brooch „Radiance” (Glow)
Amber is the focal point of the brooch: its luminosity symbolises the inherent optimism and radiance of hope. Contrasted with dark, solid silver elements, it creates a fascinating visual dialogue between light and shadow, optimism and sadness. The judges were enthralled by the poetic nature of this more abstract approach to the theme of the competition and by the technical perfection.
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Amber Prize - 0.5 kg of amber funded by the International Amber Association: Teresa Dantas from Portugal for her work „Empyrian of Eden” (Empireum Eden)
The jurors appreciated the beauty and rich narrative of the work „Empyrian of Eden” (Empyrean of Eden), which is both an object and a piece of jewellery. The detachable part from the object becomes a separate work - a pendant. Its shape is reminiscent of a lamp, and the amber that is its light adds depth and symbolism. The title of the work alludes to the celestial realm and refers to spirituality and the hope of achieving perfection.
The jury also awarded Honorable Mention, which went to Tor Legernaes from Sweden for his ring „Eternal Flame of Hope”.
According to the jury, this work shows the enormous potential of jewellery as a carrier of meanings and symbols. Their attention was drawn to the creator's ability to convey a maximum of content in a minimum of form.
Artists shortlisted for the exhibition: Andrzej Adamski and Bogumiła Adamska, Poland; Miriam Arentz, Germany; Petra Boehler, Germany; Andrzej Boss, Poland; Teresa Dantas, Portugal; Tanin Dehkhoda, UK. UK; Sławomir Fijałkowski, Poland; Maja Góralczyk, Poland; Martin Grosman, Czech Republic; Dominyka Gulbinaitė, Lithuania; Tadeusz Jaskowiak, Poland; Marcela Kindl Steffanová, Czech Republic; Biljana Klekachkoska, Germany; Tor Legernaes, Sweden; Adriana Lisowska, Poland; Maral Rangamizyazdi, Iran; Wojciech Rygało, Poland; Kairi Sirendi, Estonia; Hanna Targońska, Poland; Pasqualina Tripodi, Italy; Marcin Tyminski, Poland; Mikołaj Tymoszuk, Poland; Klaudia Walkusz, Poland; Aina Wang, China; Xiangzhi Zhao, UK. UK.
The award ceremony and post-competition exhibition will take place as part of the Amberif International Amber and Jewellery Fair in Gdansk (21-23 March 2024).
For more information about the competition: Amberif Design Award
