Joanna Gollberg’s most recent body of work considers the experiences of travel, observation, and enlightenment through the form of jewelry. Inspired by her own personal collection of coral, shells, and other keepsakes gathered while traveling the world, the exhibition will feature an exciting new series created from precious and semi precious materials, as well as found objects. Found in Mexico, Western North Carolina, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, these tokens serve as a physical reminder of the place from which they came, their histories, and the artist’s connection to each experience. The exhibition will also include a selection of documentary photographs, taken by the artist on each trip.
On this pivotal new body of work, Gollberg writes:
“I had never before given myself permission to use (these elements) in my jewelry, because they were physical objects that kept me connected to places that made my whole heart feel crushingly full… I chose to use techniques that I rarely employ in my day to day jewelry making life—mold making, wax carving, casting, enameling which gave me deep pleasure. I freely used gemstones and materials that suited each piece,disregarding any pre-planned price structure… The results are twofold: I am spiritually refreshed and ready to re-enter my work life anew, and I have created a body of work that is personally meaningful, yet still beautiful and true to my aesthetic.”
With a Jewelry Design degree from FIT in New York City, Gollberg has been creating and exhibiting unique wearable objects since 1997. A well-known and respected author, she has written four books on handcrafted jewelry: Making Metal Jewelry, Creative Metal Crafts, The Art & Craft of Making Jewelry, and The Ultimate Jeweler’s Guide. Her work has been included in gallery and museum exhibitions across the US and has been featured in international publications such as Art Jewelry Magazine, Lapidary Journal, Ornament Magazine, 1000 Rings, 500 Wedding Rings, 500 Enameled Objects, and 21st Century Jewelry. Currently based out of Asheville, North Carolina, the artist also teaches at noted craft institutions such as the Penland School of Crafts and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.
CLICK HERE to download a full press release for the exhibition.
Highlighted Works:
Joanna Gollberg, Azul y Shell pendientes moldeados (Earrings), Sterling Silver, Blue Topaz, Shell (Mexico), Concrete (Mexico), Plastic (Mexico), Beads: Turquoise, Iolite, Green Turquoise
Joanna Gollberg, Wng thxng kạb khelụ̄xb s̄ī f̂ā læa h̄æwn muk วงทองกับเคลือบสีฟ้าและแหวนมุก (Ring), 18K Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Blue Enamel (on cast shell from Mexico)
Joanna Gollberg, El collar de citrino amarillo y otras cosas (Necklace), Sterling silver, Yellow rock (Mexico), brown glass (Western NC), citrine, coral (Mexico), yellow enamel, Citrine beads
Joanna Gollberg, El Grande Collar de los Coralinos (Necklace) Sterling silver, Coral (Mexico), Hydro Peridot, Peridot, Apatite, Turquoise, Lab Sapphire, Topaz, Chalcedony
Joanna Gollberg, pendientes de cristal verde, ópalo, y coral fundido (Earrings), Sterling silver, Green Glass (Mexico), Sunstone, Peridot, Emerald, Opal
Joanna Gollberg, Red Pop Top & Coral Earrings, Sterling Silver, Aluminum (Western NC), Garnet, Coral, Simulated Ruby
Joanna Gollberg, Sithrin læa pelụ̄xk h̄xy t̀āng h̄ū Teo k̄hā ซิทรีนและเปลือกหอยต่างหูสองข (Earrings), Sterling Silver, Citrine, Shell (Thailand)
Joanna Gollberg, S̄ām t̀āng h̄ū h̄in thī̀ mī pelụ̄xk h̄̂xy สามต่างหูหินที่มีเปลือกห้อย (Earrings), Sterling Silver, Blue Chalcedony, Green Glass (Mexico), Concrete (Mexico), Blue Sapphire
Joanna Golberg, Mrkt læa s̄r̂xy khx ngein bāth มรกตและสร้อยคอเงินบาท (Necklace), Black Acrylic, Yellow Diamond (.10 ct), Green Enamel (On cast Thai Baht), Green Onyx, Rough Emerald, Peridot, Shell (Mexico), Lemon Quartz, Malachite, Beads: Emerald
Joanna Gollberg, हरे कांच और लाख झुमके Harē kān̄ca aura lākha jhumakē (Earrings), Sterling Silver, 18K Gold Bi-metal, Citrine, Green Glass (Mexico), Green Onyx, Lac Jewelry Pieces (India)
Joanna Gollberg, गम और खोल ब्रोच Gama aura khōla brōca (Brooch), Sterling Silver, Blue Pottery Shard (Western NC), Lapis, Amethyst Crystal, Amethyst, Dried Gum (Mexico), Pink Opal, Concrete (Mexico), Turquoise, Green Enamel (On cast shell from Mexico), Green Onyx
Joanna Gollberg, el collar de la garra del cangrejo (Necklace), Sterling Silver, Blue Chalcedony, Crab Claw (Mexico)
Joanna Gollberg, Nīṇṭa civappu rattiṉa puttar kātaṇika நீண்ட சிவப்பு ரத்தின புத்தர் காதணிகள் (Earrings), Sterling Silver, Garnet, Shell (Mexico), Pink Tourmaline, Ruby, Antique Carved Ivory (India)
Joanna Gollberg, Rosa Shell Circulo Pendiente (Earrings), Sterling silver, 18K gold Bi-metal, blue topaz, pink opal, shell (Mexico), Rubelite
Joanna Gollberg, El Anillo de coral fundido y Turmalina (Ring), Sterling silver, Pink Tourmaline
Joanna Gollberg, रूबी और कोरल हार Rūbī aura kōrala hāra (Necklace), Sterling silver, Coral (Mexico), Lab Ruby, natural faceted flat ruby, natural faceted rubies, Natural ruby rough, Carnelian
Joanna Gollberg, புத்தர் போதி மரம் நகையை Puttar pōti maram nakaiyai (Necklace), Sterling silver, Green Chalcedony, Blue Chalcedony, Sapphire
Joanna Gollberg, புத்தர் வளையம் Puttar vaḷaiyam (Ring), Sterling Silver, Ruby
Joanna Gollberg, Hathi Broca हाथी ब्रोच (Brooch), Sterling silver, 18k gold bi-metal, freshwater pearl, Larimar, Shell (Mexico), Blue diamond (.10 ct)
Joanna Gollberg, புத்தர் போதி மரம் நகையை Puttar pōti maram nakaiyai (Necklace), Sterling silver, Green Chalcedony, Blue Chalcedony, Sapphire
Joanna Gollberg, Blue Rock Necklace, Pottery shard (My mom’d driveway), Stone (Western NC), Lapis
Joanna Gollberg, de color rosa pendientes de concha y rubí (Earrings), Sterling Silver, 18K Gold Bi-Metal, Lab-Created Rubies, Shell (Mexico), Pink Opal, Rubies (India)
Joanna Gollberg, Klùm xạỵmṇī læa krnglĕb s̄r̂xy khx h̄̂xy กลุ่มอัญมณีและกรงเล็บสร้อยคอห้อย (Necklace), Sterling silver, 18K Gold, Peridot, Carnelian, Malachite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Shell