Beauty In Geometry | April 2020
We are delighted to present a collection of jewellery new to The Gallery this April from Michael Becker. Michael is renowned for working predominantly in gold, which he combines with stones such as lapis lazuli, uvarovite and red mineral pigment. His exquisite small scale constructions offer us a powerful contemporary interpretation of these most ancient materials, which examines Becker’s use of subtle texture, colour and geometric shapes.
Gold plates, titanium discs, dolomite rocks, severe, ascetic shapes, distinct line: seldom is a first glance more deceptive than a casual observer seeing Michael Becker’s jewellery. Concealed behind geometry and severity and aesthetic perfection lies poetry and passion. Approaching earth, fissured mountain ridges, meandering river deltas – the landscape is key to understanding Becker’s jewellery and his approach to stones comes from his interest in macro and micro perspectives. Ever since he made his first brooches, with their spaces based on Palladio ground plans framed by gold foil, Michael Becker has been partial to the view from above.
Always in his minds eye is the image of a tumbling cube, whose never ending movements – tilting, falling and rolling; he meticulously traces in slow motion and with the help of a paper model whenever he links the pieces of a necklace in calculated rhythms or aesthetic pattern.
Michael Becker makes exquisite, technically profound works of jewellery. His attention to detail demonstrates an astute and sensitive understanding of material. The addition of stone or colour adds a sculptural element which transforms his jewellery into a wearable work of art.
We have created a short film that you can view below so that you can fully engage with Michael Becker’s new collection featured in Beauty In Geometry this April from the comfort of your home.
Michael was born in 1958 in Paderborn, Germany and he studied at the Fachhochschule Cologne, Germany.
His work is held in numerous pubic collections which include:
Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim Kunstgewerbemuseum; Berlin Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris; Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Montreal; Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg; Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, New York
You can read more about Michael Becker and view the current collection on our website here.
