Tanja
Ufer
Tanja
Ufer started designing and making jewellery with an apprenticeship
at Pforzheim Goldsmithing School, Germany, in 1993. She spent two
years there learning from a broad range of courses including: silversmithing;
goldsmithing; enamelling; engraving; gemmology (the study of gem
stones); technical drawing and the history of art & craft.
The apprenticeship continued with a two year placement working for
well-known jewellery designer Peter Haarstick, in Bremen, Germany.
Here she gained further experience in working with highly precious
materials, one off pieces and commissions.
Her apprenticeship successfully culminated in a Journeyman exam
in 1997. The Journeyman piece was awarded a grant from the Bremen
County Council, which enabled Tanja to accept an offer for an Master
of Arts in Metalwork and Jewellery design at Sheffield Hallam University.
The freedom of thinking and exploration, broadened her understanding
of jewellery as an ideas medium, integrating a conceptual approach
into her work.
On
completion of her MA Tanja took a business course and established
a studio with the help of a Setting Up grant from the Crafts Council
of England, and a Start Up loan from the Prince's Trust.
Since 2000 Tanja Ufer Jewellery has gained a respected place in
the contemporary jewellery world, both nationally and internationally.
She shows in prestigious galleries such as Electrum (London) and
Cebra (Düsseldorf), and has exhibited at the highly regarded
Chelsea Craft Show (2007 being her 4th year) . Her recent international
shows include the New York Gift Fair, Philadelphia Museum of Art
& Craft Fair and the Inhorgenta International Jewellery Fair,
Munich. In 2007 she participated in the new Crafts Council Show
'Origin' at Somerset House, London.
It would be impossible to sum up Tanja's work in a few words. From
delecate and smooth to heavy and rough. One range differs very much
from the next. The 'organic' series has been described as mini sculptures
by The Crafts Council, and her latest range 'dream structures' derives
inspiration from architectural forms and an interpretation of three
dimensional drawing in space.
There is an ambiguity of function in all her pieces. They are unique,
mysterious, as if with some purpose unknown to the wearer. They
catch the eye of those that glimpse them, and like so many forms
and curiosities of nature, are a pleasure to see and touch.
However her work can be described, it is quite simply beautiful.
Biographical Details
