- The AJF Younger Artist Award advances the careers of rising jewellery artists aged 35 and below by acknowledging promise, innovation, and individuality.
- The winner receives a prize of US$7,500, and every of 4 finalists will get US$1,000. The winner and finalists will even be featured in an exhibition throughout Schmuck, in March 2024.
- AJF will settle for purposes for the 2024 Younger Artist Award by November 6, 2023. Go here to get the rules and to use.
The award jury for this cycle consists of Ted Noten, Mallory Weston, and Atty Tantivit, who spoke with us for this interview.
Marta Costa Reis: First, give us a bit of background. Please clarify the way you had been launched to up to date jewellery and what you do now in relationship to it.
Atty Tantivit: I first came upon about up to date jewellery throughout my time learning jewelry-making in Italy, again in 2004. I had an opportunity to journey to the Netherlands and got here throughout Louise Smit gallery[1] by probability. I used to be intrigued by the type of works I noticed in her gallery. It opened up my eyes. Earlier than that I solely knew about high quality jewellery and trend jewellery.
Now I run ATTA Gallery, a gallery in Bangkok, Thailand, that focuses on up to date jewellery. Since 2021, after 11 years of being a “pure” up to date jewellery gallery, I’ve promoted up to date jewellery alongside different forms of visible artwork kinds. I additionally acquire up to date jewellery in addition to up to date artwork. I attempt to encourage artwork collectors to put on up to date jewellery as nicely! I need individuals to view up to date jewellery as one other type of artwork, as wearable artwork, not simply “jewellery,” in order that we are able to additional broaden our viewers.
These previous couple of years have seen a whole lot of disruption and uncertainty. What surprises you most about the best way youthful generations reply to the fast-changing world round them?
Atty Tantivit: The modern ways in which they convey craft and expertise—two issues that previously have gone in reverse instructions—collectively in creating their works are very fascinating and really “up to date” to me. I’m not likely stunned by their capability and agility to adapt, however am really impressed by it. Nonetheless, what surprises me is that some individuals go far past tangible objects, for instance after they create their jewellery for avatars within the metaverse. It’s conceptual in a means, nevertheless it’s nonetheless laborious for me to grasp. I’m curious to see if the youthful generations will admire precise/tangible objects much less and fewer sooner or later, as this might disrupt our artwork and craft market.
What do you assume is the only most vital dialog for artists to be having in the present day?
Atty Tantivit: The WHYs behind their practices. If artists know their WHYs, they may know WHAT type of works they may make, HOW to place themselves out there, WHO their shoppers are, and WHERE and the way they should have their works offered/bought with the intention to fulfill their WHYs.
That is one strategy to create a significant and sustainable profession as an artist. And this may remove frustrations for many individuals concerned within the course of. You possibly can inform that I’m an enormous fan of Simon Sinek. 😉
Moreover grants akin to this one, in what different methods do you assume that younger artists might be inspired and supported?
Atty Tantivit: Giving them alternatives to have their works exhibited alongside well-known/established artists in duo or small group exibitions is an effective strategy to assist them and to carry them to the forefront. Having works of the younger era of artists in dialogue with works by “masters” might elevate their profiles and their significance within the area. Collectors going to see well-known artists’ works shall be uncovered to youthful artists’ works, and that will increase their possibilities of being seen and picked up.
[1] Amsterdam’s Galerie Louise Smit, which operated 1986–2012, was one of many 4 fundamental Dutch jewellery galleries of its time. For extra details about it, go here for an essay written by Liesbeth den Besten.
