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