Category Archives: Travel

Galerie Louise Smit, Amsterdam

I’ve been saving the best for last. Out of all the galleries that I visited in The Netherlands, my favorite was Galerie Louise Smit, by far.

This Gallery, located on the Prinsengracht canal in Amsterday, has been open since the mid 1980’s. Louise Smit specializes in contemporary studio jewelry, and hosts 10 solo shows in their small space while still keeping a large collection of contemporary work on permanent display. Additionally, Galerie Louise Smit publishes beautiful catalogues to accompany their solo exhibitions.

The gallery’s collection of permanent work, including pieces by Doris Betz, Seth Papac, and Edgar Filipe Silva Mosa, represents a broad perspective. The ‘result is a comprehensive and representative overview of the national and international avant–garde.’ The Gallery has a great sense of exhibition design, and really let the artists install their work in non-traditiona ways, as you can see by the photographs of Volker Atrops‘ exhibition, Immortality, below.

Also, the galleriests on hand at Louise Smit were so gracious and helpful. The gallery seemed incredibly invested in the field of Contemporary Art Jewelry, and were also very knowledgeable about their house artists.

Rings: Globes/Fragmented 2011

Boxwood, colourd glue

Necklace: Untitled 2011

Boxwood, gold, silk

Necklace: Untitled 2011

Wood from a still living taxus(Eibe/Yew)tree mother plant, silver, pariser oxid

Galerie Rob Koudijs, Amsterdam

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This post is late… but, I still wanted to take the time to share some of the images and impressions of Galerie Rob Koudijs from my recent trip to Amsterdam. Galerie Rob Koudijs is located on the beautiful Elandsgracht canal, in the historic gallery district.

A small exhibition space, the gallery is laid out smartly, presenting the mostly european jewelry in a variety of manners, from conservatively placed in class cases to curating open air custom pedestals. There is also a smaller gallery section in the front of Rob Koudijs which features rotating solo shows.

From the website: The gallery specialises in contemporary art jewellery which communicates ideas, has sculptural qualities and an innovative use of materials. The gallery represents a very motivated group of jewellery artists who produce work challenging the borders of the applied and the fine arts.

As these artists come

from all corners of the globe, the latest international developments are

on display in regular solo shows and in the stock presentation of the gallery.

On display in the front gallery were some playful pieces by Felieke Van Der Leest (The End brooch pictured at right), that featured brooches, necklaces, and figures made of seed beads and repurposed plastic toys. I thought that the gallery used the color of the works that they had on display very well; the jewelry was like candies on display. I also appreciated the selection of works, as they utilized unique materials and were quite playful and experimental.

Finally, the owner/manager of Rob Koudijs was very helpful and knowledgable. I wish that I lived closer, because the upcoming shows look amazing. the Galerie will soon be showing Karen Pontoppidan, Ruudt Peters, and Mia Maljojoki: all artists that I adore!

Ruudt Peters, Lapis Prima Materia, gold, silver, copper.

Jantje Fleischhut, Thunbergia Grandfloria, gold, tourmaline, cork, resin, plastic.

Karen Pontoppidan, Boy Looking Down, silver, niello.

Galerie Ra, Amsterdam

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Half way through my epic vacation, my travels have brought me to Amsterdam. I’ve found The Netherlands to be an amazing country, steeped in history, culture, and creativity. Straddling the past and the present, it seems like every corner has a plaque commemorating a historical even as well as a piece of contemporary public art. Amsterdam is also a special city because it’s home to three phenomenal jewelry galleries, Galerie Rob Koudijs, Galerie Louise Smit, and Galerie Ra. This week I’ll be visiting each of these contemporary art galleries, and will be posting images from each trip.

Last night I stopped into Galerie Ra, located east of the Dam at the bottom of Nes Street. Open since 1974, Galerie Ra specializes in contemporary jewelry, vessels, and objects. Galerie Ra also has an extensive collection of self published books, as well as catalogues from past shows and artists books.

It was great to get to see the tangible works of artists that I’ve admired for so long. I didn’t do a good job of taking photos while we were in the gallery, so I pulled a couple images off their online catalogue. I’ll be posting images from the other two galleries after I visit them, enjoy!