The Jewelry
of Agnes Seebass
A Modernist
Trunk Show
with Michelle Tange, Gitana Fine Silver
First Friday
Artwalk, February 2, 6-8pm
& February
3, 10am-5pm
February 2 - 28, 2018
New
Work from KT Hancock
Glass and Steel Sculpture
IMAGES SHOWN ABOVE:
Left: Agnes Seebass, Necklace, from the Bi-Color Collection
Right: Agnes Seebass, Earrings, from the Bi-Color Collection
KT Hancock, Diamond Diva. Glass and steel sculpture
Right: Agnes Seebass, Earrings, from the Bi-Color Collection
KT Hancock, Diamond Diva. Glass and steel sculpture
About the Show:
A special Trunk Show, just in time for Valentine’s
Day: The remarkable work of jeweler Agnes
Seebass, presented to us by Michelle Tange of Gitana Fine Silver. Trained in Germany, France and Mexico, Agnes celebrates
and honors three cultures with her jewelry while maintaining a cohesive, sophisticated
style and design. She is inspired by the
forms of nature and contrasts in Mexico yet is drawn to simple geometric shapes,
and has a passion for precise handcraftsmanship. Her jewelry is sought after by experienced
collectors as well as interested novices.
Visit the Gallery in person, as well as our extensive
Website and Online Shop.
About the Artists:
Agnes Seebass was born in 1966 in Berlin, West
Germany. She says that from the time she was a young child she "loved
working with her hands", and had a natural inclination for the arts. In 1985, she studied architecture in the
HHS-Architecture Bureau in Bremen, and in 1986
went to Toulouse, France, where she studied
Architecture and French at the Université du Mirail. Between 1987 and 1991 Agnes studied Jewelry
Design and Techniques of Production at the Staatliche Zeichenakademie in Hanau,
Germany.
Around this time, while in Frankfurt, Agnes was
exposed to Mexican modern and folk art and desired to learn more about Mexican
culture, especially the fabrication of metal in Taxco. In 1992 she had the good fortune to be awarded
a scholarship from the institution Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft to study
silversmithing at the Los Castillo workshop in Taxco.
Later, she began creating her own pieces and
opened her own workshop, first in Taxco and then in Cuernavaca. She now lives
and works in Austin, Texas.
Agnes points out that while her jewelry designs
were significantly enriched by the hollow-ware techniques she learned at Los
Castillo, and by the styles and techniques of earlier Mexican silversmiths
whose interpretations of pre-Columbian motifs define much of their work, she is
a modernist whose designs only subtly reflect this influence.
I think that my designs are a mixture of German and
Mexican culture. In part the forms of Mexican nature and contrasts inspire me
and on the other hand I like simple geometric forms and of course I have a
(German) passion for precise handcraftsmanship
.
Normally I do not draw a design. I work directly with
the metal, experimenting, hammering, et cetera.
All of my pieces are 100% handmade. I do not use any
industrial process. For me, pieces made by hand and with patience (time is no
argument in my workshop) have a very different feeling than any mass-produced
piece.
There is something very special for me about working
with silver; it is like an adventure and I keep discovering new ways to achieve
the results I have in mind. Sometimes
the process is very intuitive, like the pendants with texture and gold leaf
painting. I manipulate the surface in a spontaneous way until they look like
canvas and can provoke curiosity to get closer, to touch…
- Thanks to Marbeth Schon,
“Modern Maestro”, modernsilver.com
Agnes continues an extraordinary career as a jeweler,
silversmith, and product designer. She
is officially certified as a goldsmith in Germany. More of her work can be viewed in the Gallery and online in the Gitana Collection Artists' Pages.
KT Hancock is an emerging artist based in Seattle,
Washington. With a background in
metalsmithing and glassblowing, she incorporates both mediums into her work.
Her pieces demonstrate an interest in the idea of preciousness. The gem-shaped
objects convey an idealized adornment piece for the body. Although not
wearable, these objects reflect an inherent cultural, physical and sentimental
value. KT has a Bachelor’s degree in metalsmithing and sculpture from the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has also attended and worked at Pilchuck
Glass School, an educational institution founded by Dale Chihuly. She has
continued her practice as a freelance designer and maker. This new work, including vases, will be
available in February. Visit her Artist's Pages to see more.
 |
| KT Hancock, Gazing Garnet. Glass and steel |
The Island Gallery at
Sotheby’s
About The Island Gallery
Established in
2002, The Island Gallery features internationally recognized artists whose work takes
traditional art forms in exciting new
directions: studio furniture and sculpture; museum quality textile art and wearables; wood fired ceramics from the finest potters in
America; paintings and prints; and unique jewelry creations. Monthly exhibitions include
live musical concerts, featuring such genres as jazz, rock, folk, chamber music
and performance art. This, along with
its reputation for excellence, makes The
Island Gallery a destination spot on beautiful
Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, and steps from the new
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. In 2017
we celebrated 15 years of collaboration with unique and talented artists
from near and far.
Contact Us/Visit:
Web site: www.theislandgallery.net
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WINTER HOURS
Tuesdays - Saturdays 11:00
– 6:00 pm
Sundays Noon – 5:00 pm
Closed Mondays
Event Location:
The Island Gallery, 400 Winslow Way E, #120,
Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Underground parking is available at The Winslow
off Ericksen Avenue.
