OMBA GALLERY: FIVE OF A KIND + 1

It is “FIVE OF KIND” time again and this year the bi-annual jewelry group exhibition is called “FIVE OF A KIND + 1”. The last exhibition was held in 2012 under the name “six of a kind”. Five of a kind + 1 consists of the same core group of the original “five of a kind” exhibition held in 2011. This unique group exhibition shows the work of five Namibian goldsmiths and jewelry designers and one guest designer joining the group at every “five of a kind” exhibition, therefore the add-on “+1” behind the title.

(Attila Giersch) 

The exhibition opened on the 16^th April at the Omba Gallery at 18h00 for 18h30 and will run until the 30^th of April, 2014. The exhibition shows contemporary jewelry of five local goldsmiths. The six designers made effort to use new materials and unique design concepts. The presentation of the jewellery in the gallery is also unique. Every designer will present their jewellery pieces on different backgrounds, from a rustic background to artistically created canvases. It is an exhibition to look forward to and since the last one, two years ago, it will be doubly exciting to see this exclusive new collection on display.

(Sylvia von Kuehne) 

The guest designer this year is Elze Eigelaar who grew up in a small town in the Karoo, Graaff-Reinet, South Africa. She graduated at the end of 2011 and has a degree in Jewelry Design and Metal techniques from Stellenbosch, South Africa. In 2010, she spent a semester studying at the Hochschule fuer Gestaltung in Pforzheim, Germany. After attending many different workshops to acquire knowledge of old techniques, learning from different cultures and working in many well known studios  she started her own business, ‘Elze Designer Jewellery” in 2013. “I work with semi-precious stones, pearls, silver, copper, brass and gold. I often use thread, string and found objects in my work. I think a jewellery piece can tell a unique story on different wearers.”

(Elze Eigelaar)

For Attila Giersch the possibilities and limits of stainless steel in combination with silver, gold and big Namibian precious stones, is a challenging subject. His particular style is big, flashy but elegant.

Heike Lukaschik is explores the field of colour. She uses different materials / mediums such as paint, silicone and unusual combinations of coral, stones and pearls. Colour accents are used thoughtfully to emphasize or contrast. Different textile structures are applied and transferred to silver and aluminium to add subtle textures and details to the jewellery.  Her particular style is delicate, detailed and delightful.

Sylvia von Kuehne is a passionate artist, scene painter for different occasions and even creates murals on request. She thinks the most important ingredients in every work of art are flexibility, creativity and originality. At this exhibition she concentrated mainly on ear adornments and displays them on paintings depicting attractive profiles of women (the paintings are also for sale).  

Frieda Luhl has worked intensely with the riveting technique (‘riveting’ means putting together materials without the use of heat and solder) and exhibited jewellery at the “RIVETING” exhibition in November 2013 in the Omba Gallery. For the FIVE OF A KIND + 1 she will show more of her favourite technique, riveting, including other techniques like printing patterns onto metal, which is then oxidised to bring out the image.

(Stefan Dietz)

Stefan Dietz looks at the diversity of nature and all its precious materials such as diamonds, precious stones, shell, ivory etc. He depicts the rough contrasting surfaces of Namibian landscapes in his jewellery, clearly showing the bold colures of our sunsets as well. “I combined these genuine Namibian materials with precious metals to present the whole precious Namibia in each of my jewellery pieces.”

For more information:

Omba Gallery: Shareen Thude

Tel: (061) 242 222 / 081 124 0982

E-mail: craftcentre@iway.na

Attila Giersch

Tel: 061 307 424 / 081 261 4695

E-mail: pydnamibia@gmail.com