EMPAR JUANES SANCHIS
Empar Juanes, 1990 Valencia, has developed her professional career on two very different scales: one in architecture and the other more intimate and personal, dedicated to contemporary jewelry.
In 2024 she was awarded with the Herbert Hofmann Prize, held during the special exhibition “Schmuck,” during the “Internationale Handwerksmesse” in Munich.
Constantly pushing the boundaries of stone as a material, her work is all about resistance, tension, and volatility, where taking risks is essential. Beyond her work with stone, Empar Juanes expresses her inner world between the material and the immaterial. With this multidisciplinary approach, her media range from artistic jewelry to sculpture, analog photography, and sound art.
After spending a decade living abroad between Germany and the Netherlands, combining her practice between architecture and art, in 2022 she returned to her village near València and renovated a 200-year-old house, transforming it into her home and studio where she founded PEDRA, an educational project about stone carving and contemporary jewelry.
About Empar Juanes Artworks:
Stone is meticulously shaped to evoke architectural forms—minimalist yet complex. They inhabit a dimension that both embraces and transcends the body. She patiently selects and opens raw stones, to find one that has enough size, uniformity, absence of veins, inclusions, or fractures, suitable for a three-dimensional work. Taking great risks, she cuts each stone with precise accuracy, followed by a meditative carving process where her deep understanding of geometry guides her hands into fluid movements. Through this careful craftsmanship, she pushes the material boundaries of stone, transforming it into ethereal, almost immaterial jewelry pieces.
Empar Juanes’ work is a spatial experience—an intimate architecture that exists in the tension between the stone and lightness, between the body and the space created by the void.
In 2024 she was awarded with the Herbert Hofmann Prize, held during the special exhibition “Schmuck,” during the “Internationale Handwerksmesse” in Munich.
Constantly pushing the boundaries of stone as a material, her work is all about resistance, tension, and volatility, where taking risks is essential. Beyond her work with stone, Empar Juanes expresses her inner world between the material and the immaterial. With this multidisciplinary approach, her media range from artistic jewelry to sculpture, analog photography, and sound art.
After spending a decade living abroad between Germany and the Netherlands, combining her practice between architecture and art, in 2022 she returned to her village near València and renovated a 200-year-old house, transforming it into her home and studio where she founded PEDRA, an educational project about stone carving and contemporary jewelry.
About Empar Juanes Artworks:
Stone is meticulously shaped to evoke architectural forms—minimalist yet complex. They inhabit a dimension that both embraces and transcends the body. She patiently selects and opens raw stones, to find one that has enough size, uniformity, absence of veins, inclusions, or fractures, suitable for a three-dimensional work. Taking great risks, she cuts each stone with precise accuracy, followed by a meditative carving process where her deep understanding of geometry guides her hands into fluid movements. Through this careful craftsmanship, she pushes the material boundaries of stone, transforming it into ethereal, almost immaterial jewelry pieces.
Empar Juanes’ work is a spatial experience—an intimate architecture that exists in the tension between the stone and lightness, between the body and the space created by the void.
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Awards:
_ Winner Herbert Hofmann Prize 2024. International Handwerksmesse München.
_ Schmuck 2024. International Handwerksmesse München.
_ BKV Price 2021. Finalist. Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein.
_ Henriette Hustinx Awards 2019. Finalist. Representing Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design Design department.
Selected Exhibitions:
Solo:
_ April 2023
TENSED_Melting Point. EASD Valencia.
Group:
_February 2024
Schmuck 2024. International Handwerksmesse München. Germany.
_ October 2023
Piedras Preciosas. Gallery Amaranto. Barcelona. Spain.
_ September 2023
Stein. Handwerk Galerie. Munich. Germany.
_ April 2023
Melting Point. EASD Valencia.
_ April-October 2021
Showroom Limburg. Cube DesignMuseum. Kerkrade. The Netherlands.
_ April 2021
Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein Galerie. Munich. Germany.
_ March 2021
Internationale Handwerksmesse IHM. BKV Preis 2021. Munich, Germany.
_ November 2019
Opening Intro Marzee. Amsterdam. Established by Galerie Marzee supporting young artists.
_ October 2019
Refine. Organized by Embracing Exchange. Dutch Design Week. Eindhoven, Netherlands.
_ September 2019
Talents in the House. Museum of Bags. Amsterdam. The Netherlands.
_ August 2019
Marzee Graduation Show 2019. Gallerie Marzee. Nijmegen. The Netherlands.
Education:
2016 - 2019 Graduated. Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design. The Netherlands.
2018 - 2019 Exchange program. Idar-OberSTEIN campus. Hochschule Trier. Germany.
2008 - 2015 Graduated. Escola Tècnica Superior Arquitectura València. Universitat Politècnica de València. Spain.
2015 - Exchange program. Architecture. Tsinghua University. Beijing.
2012 - 2013 Exchange program. Architektur. RWTH Aachen. Germany.
_ Winner Herbert Hofmann Prize 2024. International Handwerksmesse München.
_ Schmuck 2024. International Handwerksmesse München.
_ BKV Price 2021. Finalist. Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein.
_ Henriette Hustinx Awards 2019. Finalist. Representing Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design Design department.
Selected Exhibitions:
Solo:
_ April 2023
TENSED_Melting Point. EASD Valencia.
Group:
_February 2024
Schmuck 2024. International Handwerksmesse München. Germany.
_ October 2023
Piedras Preciosas. Gallery Amaranto. Barcelona. Spain.
_ September 2023
Stein. Handwerk Galerie. Munich. Germany.
_ April 2023
Melting Point. EASD Valencia.
_ April-October 2021
Showroom Limburg. Cube DesignMuseum. Kerkrade. The Netherlands.
_ April 2021
Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein Galerie. Munich. Germany.
_ March 2021
Internationale Handwerksmesse IHM. BKV Preis 2021. Munich, Germany.
_ November 2019
Opening Intro Marzee. Amsterdam. Established by Galerie Marzee supporting young artists.
_ October 2019
Refine. Organized by Embracing Exchange. Dutch Design Week. Eindhoven, Netherlands.
_ September 2019
Talents in the House. Museum of Bags. Amsterdam. The Netherlands.
_ August 2019
Marzee Graduation Show 2019. Gallerie Marzee. Nijmegen. The Netherlands.
Education:
2016 - 2019 Graduated. Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design. The Netherlands.
2018 - 2019 Exchange program. Idar-OberSTEIN campus. Hochschule Trier. Germany.
2008 - 2015 Graduated. Escola Tècnica Superior Arquitectura València. Universitat Politècnica de València. Spain.
2015 - Exchange program. Architecture. Tsinghua University. Beijing.
2012 - 2013 Exchange program. Architektur. RWTH Aachen. Germany.
JEWELS by EMPAR JUANES SANCHIS
Empar Juanes Sanchis.
Brooch: Tensed 3, 2021.
Agate, white gold, stainless steel.
5.8 x 4 x 9.3 cm.
Photo by: Andreas Horsky
Unique piece.
Price: 4900 €.
Contemporary jewellery in solidarity for the DANA victims in València
My name is Empar Juanes, winner of the Herbert Hofmann Prize 2024, and as a Valencian and resident of a town affected by the DANA, I have decided to put my piece Tensed 3 up for sale to raise funds for the victims who have lost everything.
My family and I have been very fortunate—our homes are intact, and we have suffered no losses. Despite living through the night of the catastrophe in Llombai, alone in my house and filled with fear, our suffering cannot compare to that of our neighbours in nearby towns who have lost loved ones, homes, small businesses, and a lifetime of efforts. Some friends have lost everything.
For three days, I was knee-deep in mud, helping in every way I could amidst a scene that resembled something out of an apocalypse or post-war era. While hands-on help is essential in these moments, I believe that economic support will be crucial for rebuilding the homes and livelihoods of thousands of families.
I would like to thank Klimt02 and Hannah Gallery for promoting and supporting this initiative, from which they will not take any commission on sales. All proceeds will go directly to those affected by the DANA.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
About the piece:
Tensed 3. Brooch. Agate, white gold, (exhibited in SCHMUCK 2024).
Constantly testing the limits of the stone as a material became my approach to jewelry making. My work with stone is very much about resistance, tension, and volatility where risk-taking is essential. I asked myself how much could I carve and push the limit of stone before it splits. Achieving thicknesses of less than 1mm in this agate piece I discovered agate stone could be slightly flexible, depending on the stone internal structure and geometry. This unexpected characteristic of stone’s materiality fascinated me. For this piece “Tensed 3” I set the stone playing with the tension of a strong white gold structure, visualizing this risky but exciting phenomenon and pushing even further the stone limit.
El meu nom és Empar Juanes, guanyadora del Herbert Hofmann Prize 2024, i com a valenciana i veïna d’una població afectada per la DANA, he decidit posar a la venda la meua peça Tensed 3 per recaptar fons per a les víctimes que s’han quedat sense absolutament res.
La meua família i jo hem tingut molta sort, les nostres cases estàn bé i no hem tingut ninguna pèrdua. Tot i haver viscut la nit de la catàstrofe a Llombai, sola a casa meua i amb molta por, el nostre sofriment no es pot comparar al dels veïns dels pobles propers que han perdut familiars, vivendes, xicotets negocis i tota una vida d’esforços. Alguns amics ho han perdut tot.
Durant tres dies, he estat enfangada ajudant en tot el que podia, enmig d’un panorama que recorda escenes apocalíptiques o de postguerra. Sent que les mans són molt necessàries en aquests moments, però també que el suport econòmic serà fonamental per reconstruir llars i negòcis de milers de famílies.
Vull agrair a Klimt02 i Hannah Gallery la promoció i difusió d’aquesta iniciativa, en la qual no es quedarà amb cap comissió per les vendes. Els diners recaptats aniràn directament als afectats per la DANA.
Gràcies de tot cor..
Brooch: Tensed 3, 2021.
Agate, white gold, stainless steel.
5.8 x 4 x 9.3 cm.
Photo by: Andreas Horsky
Unique piece.
Price: 4900 €.
Contemporary jewellery in solidarity for the DANA victims in València
My name is Empar Juanes, winner of the Herbert Hofmann Prize 2024, and as a Valencian and resident of a town affected by the DANA, I have decided to put my piece Tensed 3 up for sale to raise funds for the victims who have lost everything.
My family and I have been very fortunate—our homes are intact, and we have suffered no losses. Despite living through the night of the catastrophe in Llombai, alone in my house and filled with fear, our suffering cannot compare to that of our neighbours in nearby towns who have lost loved ones, homes, small businesses, and a lifetime of efforts. Some friends have lost everything.
For three days, I was knee-deep in mud, helping in every way I could amidst a scene that resembled something out of an apocalypse or post-war era. While hands-on help is essential in these moments, I believe that economic support will be crucial for rebuilding the homes and livelihoods of thousands of families.
I would like to thank Klimt02 and Hannah Gallery for promoting and supporting this initiative, from which they will not take any commission on sales. All proceeds will go directly to those affected by the DANA.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
About the piece:
Tensed 3. Brooch. Agate, white gold, (exhibited in SCHMUCK 2024).
Constantly testing the limits of the stone as a material became my approach to jewelry making. My work with stone is very much about resistance, tension, and volatility where risk-taking is essential. I asked myself how much could I carve and push the limit of stone before it splits. Achieving thicknesses of less than 1mm in this agate piece I discovered agate stone could be slightly flexible, depending on the stone internal structure and geometry. This unexpected characteristic of stone’s materiality fascinated me. For this piece “Tensed 3” I set the stone playing with the tension of a strong white gold structure, visualizing this risky but exciting phenomenon and pushing even further the stone limit.
···
El meu nom és Empar Juanes, guanyadora del Herbert Hofmann Prize 2024, i com a valenciana i veïna d’una població afectada per la DANA, he decidit posar a la venda la meua peça Tensed 3 per recaptar fons per a les víctimes que s’han quedat sense absolutament res.
La meua família i jo hem tingut molta sort, les nostres cases estàn bé i no hem tingut ninguna pèrdua. Tot i haver viscut la nit de la catàstrofe a Llombai, sola a casa meua i amb molta por, el nostre sofriment no es pot comparar al dels veïns dels pobles propers que han perdut familiars, vivendes, xicotets negocis i tota una vida d’esforços. Alguns amics ho han perdut tot.
Durant tres dies, he estat enfangada ajudant en tot el que podia, enmig d’un panorama que recorda escenes apocalíptiques o de postguerra. Sent que les mans són molt necessàries en aquests moments, però també que el suport econòmic serà fonamental per reconstruir llars i negòcis de milers de famílies.
Vull agrair a Klimt02 i Hannah Gallery la promoció i difusió d’aquesta iniciativa, en la qual no es quedarà amb cap comissió per les vendes. Els diners recaptats aniràn directament als afectats per la DANA.
Gràcies de tot cor..
Empar Juanes Sanchis.
Brooch: Liviana, 2019.
Agate, white gold.
8.2 x 9.8 x 4.8 cm.
Photo by: Look At The Bird
Unique piece.
Price: 4900 €.
On body view.
Brooch: Liviana, 2019.
Agate, white gold.
8.2 x 9.8 x 4.8 cm.
Photo by: Look At The Bird
Unique piece.
Price: 4900 €.
On body view.
Empar Juanes Sanchis.
Object: Don’t Dare, 2019.
Black granite.
28.3 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm.
Photo by: Guangmin Huang
Unique piece.
Price: 1900 €.
Object: Don’t Dare, 2019.
Black granite.
28.3 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm.
Photo by: Guangmin Huang
Unique piece.
Price: 1900 €.
Empar Juanes Sanchis.
Object: Untitled, 2019.
Black granite.
6.2 x 8.3 x 8.3 cm.
Photo by: Nima Ashrafi
Unique piece.
Price: 3100 €.
Object: Untitled, 2019.
Black granite.
6.2 x 8.3 x 8.3 cm.
Photo by: Nima Ashrafi
Unique piece.
Price: 3100 €.
