Otto Künzli

Switzerland-Germany, b.1948

Otto Künzli is one of the most renowned and respected jewellers working today. The Swiss-trained, Munich-based artist has created truly iconic examples of contemporary jewellery including 1995’s 1cm of Love and 1980’s Gold Macht Blind (Gold Makes You Blind). Künzli’s minimalist, yet meticulously crafted work references cultural phenomena, utilising the power of metaphor and iconography with wit and sophistication.

 

In addition to his highly respected artistic practice, Künzli has an accomplished academic career spanning over twenty years. As director of the Jewellery department at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste Munich from 1991 to 2014, he was influential in the education and mentorship of many prominent contemporary jewellers.

 

In 2013, a major retrospective titled The Exhibition showcased Otto’s extensive ouevre and was accompanied by The Book, a comprehensive catalogue documenting a career spanning over 40 years. The exhibition was staged in Germany (Die Neue Sammlung, Munich), Japan (Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum) and Switzerland (mudac, Lausanne).



Gold makes you blind bracelet, since 1980, rubber, gold

More work by Otto Künzli

I made it - you name it (objects/pendants) by Otto Künzli I made it - you name it (objects/pendants) , 2016, jet, meerschaum (mineral sepiolite) ,
Eye II by Otto Künzli Eye II , 2016, jet, obsidian, Parisienne Red ,
Quidam III by Otto Künzli Quidam III , 2016, found wood, acrylic, acrylic paint ,
Better than nothing pendant by Otto Künzli Better than nothing pendant , ongoing edition, POM, silver, cord ,
Good news from the Islands by Otto Künzli Good news from the Islands , 2005, silver 50 dollar coin (Cayman Islands, 1985), silk ,
Centimetres of love by Otto Künzli Centimetres of love , since 1989, 22k gold ,
Gold makes you blind bracelet by Otto Künzli Gold makes you blind bracelet , 1980 - present, rubber, gold ,
Love pendant by Otto Künzli Love pendant , 2005, fused gold & blackened silver ,
Spindel pendant by Otto Künzli Spindel pendant , 2007, stainless steel ,
Fux by Otto Künzli Fux , edition of 40, 2010, MDF, alkyl linoleum paint ,
Blape by Otto Künzli Blape , edition of 40, 2010, MDF, alkyl linoleum paint ,
Moon by Otto Künzli Moon , edition of 40, 2010, MDF, alkyl linoleum paint ,
Lovebone by Otto Künzli Lovebone , edition of 40, 2011, MDF, acrylic dispersion, silicate mineral paint ,
Ghostino by Otto Künzli Ghostino , edition of 40, 2011, MDF, acrylic dispersion, silicate mineral paint, copper sulphate, cobalt ,
Chasch-mer pendant by Otto Künzli Chasch-mer pendant , edition of 40, 2011, MDF, alkyl linoleum paint ,
Who nose? (interaction/performance) by Otto Künzli Who nose? (interaction/performance) , 2001, cards ,
No worries pendant by Otto Künzli No worries pendant , limited edition, 2014, sterling silver ,
Undated (probably pendants)  by Otto Künzli Undated (probably pendants) , 1993, raku clay ,
Oh, say! (brooch) by Otto Künzli Oh, say! (brooch) , 1991, gold ,
Ring for two people by Otto Künzli Ring for two people , 1980, stainless steel ,
Red Dot pins by Otto Künzli Red Dot pins , , drawing pins, rubber ,

Exhibitions

Evil & I

October 11 - November 12, 2016

Otto Künzli and Therese Hilbert return to Melbourne after six years, for an exhibition of new works, including the first pieces in important new series.

20/20

October 6 - 31, 2015

Gallery Funaki celebrates its 20th anniversary with an exhibition by some of our longest-standing artists.