Exhibition dates: 5th June – 18th July, 2009

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Photographs of the exhibition and interesting observations by Karen Thompson on the Johannes Kuknen talk can be found on the Melbourne Jeweller website.

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Johannes Kuhnen
Rings 1971

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Johannes Kuhnen
Ring 1973

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This is a superlative exhibition, one of the highlights of the year so far in Melbourne.

The exhibition presents work from the early 1970s to contemporary work and evidences the breadth of vision of this master craftsman and artist, the arc of his investigation showing a consistency of feeling for the energy and form of his materials over many decades. Technically the work is superb; conceptually the work transcends the boundaries of jewellery and becomes something else altogether: it becomes magical.

Kuhnen’s use of colour in his favoured anodised aluminium material is exquisite, the perfection of his forms flawless. His fabulous ‘Vessels’ reminding me of the ancient Neolithic standing stone circles at Stonehenge in their shape and use of vertical buttresses in different materials (such stainless steel and granite) that intersect the oval forms. His ‘Boxes’ are like small ancient reliquaries, objects for holding ashes worked with a delicacy, simplicity and feeling for form and colour that is absolutely beautiful and consistent with the containment of energy within their structure.

I went with Marianne Cseh a jeweller friend of mine. We stood transfixed before this work, peering closely at it and gasping in appreciation of the beauty, technical proficiency and pure poetry of the pieces. This exhibition is highly recommended and not to be missed!

Now showing with the international SCHMUCK jewellery exhibition from Germany.
A great selection of the work of Johannes Kuknen can be found on the Workshop Bilk website.
A book to accompany the exhibition is available from the RMIT Gallery and on the Workshop Bilk website.

Marcus Bunyan for the Art Blart blog

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Johannes Kuhnen
Boxes 1980

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Johannes Kuhnen
Tray 1986

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Johannes Kuhnen
Centrepiece 1987

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Johannes Kuhnen
Centrepiece 1991

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“Johannes Kuhnen has made a pioneering contribution to Australian design and gold and silver smithing through his commitment as a generous educator and innovative practitioner. This exhibition will create linkages between his earlier works, some of which was made in Germany prior to migrating to Australia and new work specifically produced for this exhibition and this will be done both with objects and through a catalogue/monograph to be launched at the opening venue. The exhibition will borrow from Australian public and private collections to facilitate the demonstration of connecting design elements in the work from both significant streams in Kuhnen’s work in jewellery and hollowware.”

Text from the RMIT Gallery website

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Johannes Kuhnen
Vessel 2007

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Johannes Kuhnen
Vessel 2008

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Johannes Kuhnen
Vessel 2009

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RMIT Gallery
344 Swanston St
Melbourne
Tel. +61 3 9925 1717

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday, 11 am – 5 pm
Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm
Closed public holidays and Sundays.

RMIT Gallery website

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WORKSHOP BILK
Workshop Bilk, 53 Kendall Avenue, Queanbeyan NSW 2620.

Opening hours: Workshop Bilk Gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday 11.00am to 5.30pm.

Workshop Bilk website – Johannes Kuhnen: a survey of innovation