Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Be the first to know all things jewellery here!

PINNED! CONTEMPORARY ANTWERP JEWELLERY

A unique perspective on 25 years of jewellery design

The exhibition Pinned! Contemporary Antwerp Jewellery at the DIVA Museum offers a unique opportunity to admire over 200 pieces of jewellery created in the city over the past 25 years. All the jewellery comes from the collection of a single collector, Antwerp native Dirk Schrijvers. Through this collection, the exhibition provides insight into the dynamic evolution of jewellery design in Antwerp, a city renowned for its rich traditions in crafts such as goldsmithing and silversmithing.

In recent decades, Antwerp has also established itself as a hub of contemporary jewellery design. Pinned! reflects this creative flourishing, taking visitors on a visual journey through diverse themes that highlight the variety and progression of its designers. From the impact of technological advancements and societal themes to the personal expression of individual creators, the exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of developments in Antwerp’s jewellery art.

 

Four designers take centre stage in the exhibition – the collector’s favourites. Film interviews with Peter Vermandere, Nadine Wijnants, Dimitar Stankov, and Rembrandt Jordan shed light on their work and their relationship with the collector.
 For instance, in his interview, Peter Vermandere discusses his quest for the perfect stones, minerals, and fossils. His search took him to a hidden quarry in the Ardennes near Hotton, where he found coral fossils to take home. The result is visible in the exhibition with the brooches from his Hotton Wheels series.

Peter Vermandere, Broche 'Hotton wheels,' Foto: Bart Huysmans.
Peter Vermandere, Broche 'Hotton wheels,' Foto: Bart Huysmans.
Peter Vermandere, Kader 'Hotton wheels,' Foto: Bart Huysmans.
Peter Vermandere, Kader 'Hotton wheels,' Foto: Bart Huysmans.

Nadine Wijnants shares the story of a special commission from Dirk Schrijvers to design four rings based on four colours and four seasons. She was given complete creative freedom, but the designs had to incorporate four poems written by Schrijvers himself.

Nadine Wijnants, The Grass and the Trees.
Nadine Wijnants, The Snow and the Stars.
Nadine Wijnants, The Sky and the Sea.
Nadine Wijnants, The Sun and the Sand.

Students and graduates from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Sint Lucas Antwerp are also featured, offering a striking contrast between established names and emerging talent. This highlights the versatility and dynamism of Antwerp’s jewellery scene.

 

What makes this exhibition truly special is that most of these pieces have never been displayed in a museum before. Carefully selected from Dirk Schrijvers’ personal collection, they reflect his passion and dedication to collecting jewellery over the years. This is a rare opportunity to see works that might otherwise remain hidden from public view. Each piece tells its own story, but together they present a compelling overview of 25 years of innovation and artistry.

Exhibition view: Peter Vermandere, DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.
Exhibition view: Dries Van Noten, DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.
Exhibition view: Peter Vermandere, DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.
Exhibition view: Slawa Tchorzewska, DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.
Exhibition view: Marcin Tyminski, DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.
Exhibition view: DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.
Exhibition view: DIVA Museum. Courtesy of the museum.

The exhibition concludes with a display case that places Antwerp’s jewellery in an international context. It demonstrates how the city has positioned itself as a global centre for jewellery design and offers visitors a broader perspective on how Antwerp’s creations compare with contemporary jewellery from the Netherlands, England, and other European countries.

 

Pinned! Contemporary Antwerp Jewellery is not only a visual feast for art and design enthusiasts but also an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the future of jewellery design. The accompanying book/catalogue allows visitors to delve deeper into the stories behind the pieces and cherish them at home.

Share:

GEM Z Join the Social Club