MANON VAN KOUSWIJK
Manon van Kouswijk studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam, and in 1994 was a guest student at the Munich Academy studying under professor Otto Künzli. Manon has gone on to work internationally and teach at institutes such as Hiko Mizuno College of Jewellery in Tokyo, Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, and Monash University in Melbourne where she is currently the MADA jewellery studio coordinator. Utilising a diverse range of materials such as paper, porcelain, and wood, she explores the meaning and associations imbued in everyday objects. Manon has exhibited internationally and has work included in permanent collections of the NGV Melbourne and Musée des Arts ecoratifs Marseille France.
Manon on her work:
I like to think that it's possible to reinvent jewellery, despite the fact that its archetypal forms and motifs haven't fundamentally changed throughout its long history. These archetypes to me are like templates that I use for translations of the jewellery types I work from (for example the beaded necklace). I explore the visual and conceptual potential of these existing jewellery forms and motifs and translate them through a range of materials, processes, and ideas.
The traces of the making process are often visible in the work. The imperfection of the handmade, present in marks of fingerprints and moulds, is an integral part of the objects.
While originating from a conceptual approach to making at the same time my works embrace the sensual qualities of jewellery objects in the use of colour, their weight, sound, rhythm, and material expression.
An integral aspect of my practice is the framing and contextualising of the work through the making of exhibitions and artist publications often in collaboration with other artists and designers. My artist books feature found and made photographs and drawings to trace and reimagine the presence of jewellery and other personal possessions in private settings, in museums, and in popular culture.
Manon on her work:
I like to think that it's possible to reinvent jewellery, despite the fact that its archetypal forms and motifs haven't fundamentally changed throughout its long history. These archetypes to me are like templates that I use for translations of the jewellery types I work from (for example the beaded necklace). I explore the visual and conceptual potential of these existing jewellery forms and motifs and translate them through a range of materials, processes, and ideas.
The traces of the making process are often visible in the work. The imperfection of the handmade, present in marks of fingerprints and moulds, is an integral part of the objects.
While originating from a conceptual approach to making at the same time my works embrace the sensual qualities of jewellery objects in the use of colour, their weight, sound, rhythm, and material expression.
An integral aspect of my practice is the framing and contextualising of the work through the making of exhibitions and artist publications often in collaboration with other artists and designers. My artist books feature found and made photographs and drawings to trace and reimagine the presence of jewellery and other personal possessions in private settings, in museums, and in popular culture.
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Public collections:
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Stedelijk Museum Den Bosch, The Netherlands / Dutch Textile Museum, Tilburg, The Netherlands / Foundation Françoise van den Bosch, The Netherlands /ABN-AMRO Art Collection, The Netherlands / Røsska Museet Gøteborg Sweden / FNAC, Paris, France / NGV Melbourne Australia / Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide Australia / Musée des Arts Decoratifs Marseille France / NGA Canberra Australia / Victoria & Albert Museum London UK / Powerhouse Museum Sydney Australia / Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Australia.
Solo exhibitions (selection):
2021 The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2019 “Findings” at Taller Eloi jewellery school Buenos Aires Argentina. “A Jewellery Playbook ACT3”, Gallery RA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2018 “Making Faces – a jewellery playbook”, Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia. “The Possibility of Someone” Gallery SO, London UK.
2016 "In Order Of Appearance" Galerie RA, Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2015 “Findings” Launch of artist book + exhibition, Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia. “Out of the Office” gallery RA at the Art Fair Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2014 "2 Minds 4 Hands" Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia, joint exhibition with Lucy Sarneel. "Out of the Office" at The Other Side Melbourne Australia. Joint exhibition with Roseanne Bartley at The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2013 "Signature Beads & Ornamental Residue" Gallery Ra during the 'Schmuck' fair in Munich Germany and the Art Fair in Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2012 "Perles d'Artiste" Objectspace Auckland New Zealand. "Perles d'Artiste" The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2011 "Artefacts of life" Gallery Platina Stockholm Sweden. "Bead the System" Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia.
2010 "Hanging Around" Gallery Ra Amsterdam The Netherlands.
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Stedelijk Museum Den Bosch, The Netherlands / Dutch Textile Museum, Tilburg, The Netherlands / Foundation Françoise van den Bosch, The Netherlands /ABN-AMRO Art Collection, The Netherlands / Røsska Museet Gøteborg Sweden / FNAC, Paris, France / NGV Melbourne Australia / Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide Australia / Musée des Arts Decoratifs Marseille France / NGA Canberra Australia / Victoria & Albert Museum London UK / Powerhouse Museum Sydney Australia / Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Australia.
Solo exhibitions (selection):
2021 The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2019 “Findings” at Taller Eloi jewellery school Buenos Aires Argentina. “A Jewellery Playbook ACT3”, Gallery RA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2018 “Making Faces – a jewellery playbook”, Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia. “The Possibility of Someone” Gallery SO, London UK.
2016 "In Order Of Appearance" Galerie RA, Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2015 “Findings” Launch of artist book + exhibition, Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia. “Out of the Office” gallery RA at the Art Fair Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2014 "2 Minds 4 Hands" Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia, joint exhibition with Lucy Sarneel. "Out of the Office" at The Other Side Melbourne Australia. Joint exhibition with Roseanne Bartley at The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2013 "Signature Beads & Ornamental Residue" Gallery Ra during the 'Schmuck' fair in Munich Germany and the Art Fair in Amsterdam The Netherlands.
2012 "Perles d'Artiste" Objectspace Auckland New Zealand. "Perles d'Artiste" The National Christchurch New Zealand.
2011 "Artefacts of life" Gallery Platina Stockholm Sweden. "Bead the System" Gallery Funaki Melbourne Australia.
2010 "Hanging Around" Gallery Ra Amsterdam The Netherlands.
JEWELS by MANON VAN KOUSWIJK
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: (G)host, 2024.
Hand-shaped porcelain clay, black underglaze, transparent glaze, nylon thread.
40 cm.
Photo by: Manon van Kouswijk.
Serial number: 2/6
Serial piece.
Price: 1800 €.
Necklace: (G)host, 2024.
Hand-shaped porcelain clay, black underglaze, transparent glaze, nylon thread.
40 cm.
Photo by: Manon van Kouswijk.
Serial number: 2/6
Serial piece.
Price: 1800 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Heart Beads, 2020.
Wooden beads, wooden dowel, glue, thread
Unique piece.
Necklace: Heart Beads, 2020.
Wooden beads, wooden dowel, glue, thread
Unique piece.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Heart Beads, 2022.
Wooden beads, wooden dowel, glue, thread
Unique piece.
Price: 1300 €.
Necklace: Heart Beads, 2022.
Wooden beads, wooden dowel, glue, thread
Unique piece.
Price: 1300 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Earrings: Eyes for Ears, 2018.
Cast porcelain, ceramic pencil, glaze, silver
Multiple piece.
Earrings: Eyes for Ears, 2018.
Cast porcelain, ceramic pencil, glaze, silver
Multiple piece.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Pendant: Nose, 2012.
Porcelain, thread.
3 x 2 x 2 cm.
Published at: Findings by Manon Van Kouswijk
Multiple piece.
Price: 240 €.
Pendant: Nose, 2012.
Porcelain, thread.
3 x 2 x 2 cm.
Published at: Findings by Manon Van Kouswijk
Multiple piece.
Price: 240 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Chunky Daisy no.5, 2016.
Porcelain, glaze, thread.
41 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh.
Price: 1050 €.
Necklace: Chunky Daisy no.5, 2016.
Porcelain, glaze, thread.
41 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh.
Price: 1050 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread.
42 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread.
42 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread..
34 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Price: 1000 €.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread..
34 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Price: 1000 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Brooch: Bisou, 2011.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, silver, steel.
6 x 2 x 2 cm.
Photo by: Jeremy Dillon.
Part of: Private Collection.
Published at: Findings by Manon Van Kouswijk.
Stamped in the back MK.
Brooch: Bisou, 2011.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, silver, steel.
6 x 2 x 2 cm.
Photo by: Jeremy Dillon.
Part of: Private Collection.
Published at: Findings by Manon Van Kouswijk.
Stamped in the back MK.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread.
43 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Price: 1000 €.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread.
43 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Price: 1000 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, thread.
39 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Price: 1000 €.
Necklace: Figures, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, thread.
39 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Unique piece.
Price: 1000 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Reverse Beads, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread.
39 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Serial piece.
Price: 1140 €.
Necklace: Reverse Beads, 2016.
Porcelain, pigment, glaze, thread.
39 cm long.
Photo by: Fred Kroh
Serial piece.
Price: 1140 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Pearl Grey Revisited, 2015.
Glass elements (saucer, hand formed cup handle with attached glass beads), diverse glass and plastic beads, polyester thread, glue.
34 cm long
Unique piece.
Price: 2300 €.
Work designed for Klimt02 Gallery for the exhibition To Recover in 2015.
Necklace: Pearl Grey Revisited, 2015.
Glass elements (saucer, hand formed cup handle with attached glass beads), diverse glass and plastic beads, polyester thread, glue.
34 cm long
Unique piece.
Price: 2300 €.
Work designed for Klimt02 Gallery for the exhibition To Recover in 2015
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Pearl Grey, 2009.
Porcelain, glass, ivory, plastic, pearls.
31 cm long
Unique piece.
Price: 1500 €.
Necklace: Pearl Grey, 2009.
Porcelain, glass, ivory, plastic, pearls.
31 cm long
Unique piece.
Price: 1500 €.
Manon van Kouswijk.
Necklace: Perles d'Artiste no 5, 2009.
Modeling porcelain, ceramic pencil, glaze.
Beads are made with 10 fingers.
34 cm long.
Part of: Private collection
Serial piece.
Necklace: Perles d'Artiste no 5, 2009.
Modeling porcelain, ceramic pencil, glaze.
Beads are made with 10 fingers.
34 cm long.
Part of: Private collection
Serial piece.
