Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER
33rd International Jewellery Competition WOW Effect!
Collective biography:
The International Jewellery Competition is the main event of the Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER. The competition has been organized by the Gallery of Art in Legnica since 1979 (initially as the National Review of the Goldsmiths Forms). It is one of the oldest initiatives to promote contemporary artistic jewellery in Europe, supporting creative explorations within a niche field at the intersection of art, craft and design. Artists from all over the world, goldsmiths, designers, professional and amateur jewellery makers were invited to participate in the contest. The competition is artistic in nature, and the organizers left the artists full freedom of choice of techniques and materials, noting that a key criterion for evaluation was a clear reference to the competition's main theme (WOW Effect!).
268 artists from 42 countries took part in the 33rd edition of the International Jewellery Competition "WOW Effect!". The Jury selected works by 44 artists from 22 countries which make up the post-competition exhibition. Romanian Jewelry Week showcases the works awarded and honored in this year's competition. Jury of the Competition:
Sławomir Fijałkowski, Barbara Schmidt, Eva Fernandez Martos, Paweł Kaczyński, Märta Mattsson
Collection concept:
Is art supposed to be a WOW effect? Is jewellery supposed to be it? After the post-humanist turn, the emptiness and delusion of discourses in the crisis of humanity, we no longer expect jewellery to be just pessimistic malediction and dystopian prophecies, but also hope, a light at the end of the tunnel, an antidote to wipe away apocalyptic tears. A magic wand that will make the world seem a more beautiful place than it actually is. We expect a WOW effect!
Justyna Teodorczyk, PhD
Why a theme at all?
Of course, we would like the efforts of artists, designers, jewellery makers - especially those connected with the preparation of a new competition entry - to focus on socially and culturally important issues. It is about the quality of the exhibition itself, but also about a pretext for discussions in which not only politicians, activists and opinion leaders should have their say.
The theme is important.
It introduces ordering criteria, facilitates comparisons, provokes reflection. We determined this many years ago, and we consistently adhere to this principle, while observing that the responses are becoming increasingly superficial, safely uncontroversial, politically and aesthetically correct.
But...
...perhaps it is in the area of aesthetics, which has been neglected recently, that it is most difficult today to come up with innovative solutions
– that WOW! effect – surprising, inspiring, unprecedented?
Surely it is still possible!
Even in jewellery / especially in jewellery.
Prof. Sławomir Fijałkowski
Participating Artists:
Konstanze Prechtl – Austria
The flaw that wows brooches, stainless steel, sterling silver, gold 18ct, artificial pearls, 2024
“The Flaw That Wows” invites a playful yet profound exploration of self-perception and external judgment. The reflective surfaces, resembling the size and feel of a smartphone, encourage viewers to confront their own reflections – only to discover what seem like blemishes: small imperfections that appear as pimples on the chin or forehead. Upon closer inspection, however, these “flaws” reveal themselves as tiny dots of gold or silver. This moment of surprise – a WOW effect – arises from the tension between initial irritation and the realization that imperfections often exist solely in our own perception. The work challenges how we define perfection, urging us to find beauty in details we frequently overlook or devalue.
GRAND PRIX OF THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL
HONOURABLE MENTION OF THE GOLDSMITHING ARTISTS` ASSOCIATION
Antal Zilahi – Hungary
Mirror Error – points in the green brooch, hand-polished glass, handmade mirror, 3D printed PLA, stainless steel, 2025
II AWARD OF THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE
Is there perfection without imperfection? My brooch challenges perfectionism by integrating the 180-year-old-tradition of mirror-making into contemporary jewellery design. I intentionally made errors in the mirrors-making process. With unique silver mirror surface, I aim to trigger an inner dialogue about the quality and depth of our observations. My object lets viewers glimpse a corner of the body and surroundings, fostering a more relaxed, intimate relationship between the trinity of object, person, and view.
Into Niilo – Belgium
I have nothing to hide necklace, sterling silver, white rhodium, synthetic quartz (23p 479ct), UV nail polish, resin, 2023
III AWARD OF THE MARSHAL OF THE LOWER-SILESIAN VOIVODESHIP
Lustration in Central and Eastern Europe is the official public procedure of scrutinizing a public official or a candidate for public office in terms of their history as a witting confidential collaborator [informant] of relevant former communist secret police, an activity widely condemned by the public opinion of those states as morally corrupt due to its essential role in suppressing political opposition and enabling persecution of dissidents.
Sergiusz Kuchczyński – Poland
Lust I, II, III brooches, plastic, silver-plated brass, silver, 2025
SILVER SPUR. THE ORGANIZERS’ SPECIAL AWARD FOR CREATIVE COURAGE AND UNCOMPROMISING ATTITUDE, INNOVATION OR SENSE OF HUMOUR
AWARD OF THE YES GALLERY
I use fragments of kitchen utensils from a popular homeware store, stripping them of their original function and redefining them. The choice of objects is not accidental – I wanted their distinct utilitarian character, once altered, to also affect the emotional aspects of our lives.
Jewellery, beyond its decorative function, is a message – it defines and positions the wearer, provokes, encourages interaction, and initiates dialogue. In my work, I add further layers to this definition, referring to the titular word "Lust", which appears in various languages with similar meanings, making it recognisable to millions of people.
Michael Berger – Germany
RK LEG-25 kinetic ring, stainless steel, dichroic glass, 2025
AWARD OF THE GALLERY OF ART IN LEGNICA
PB GROUP AWARD
INTERNATIONAL AMBER ASSOCIATION AWARD
Elsa de Graef – Belgium
Eclipse collier, titanium, paper crystal, adhesive double face, steel, magnet, 2025
HONOURABLE MENTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE GALLERY OF ART IN LEGNICA
As soon as the theme “Wow effect” was announced, it seemed appropriate to me to seek out what in my childhood memories had produced a "wow effect". Fireworks: that sound explosion, a solitary bright point shooting into the sky, a brief silence followed by an explosion of color, sparkling and vibrating points. These magical memories reveal to me a single apprehension: that of something moving from the inanimate to the animated, from emptiness to fullness, from nothingness to life, from nothing to everything. In this endeavor to best transcribe these visual and sensory experiences, my research intuitively turned towards the art of pop-up, leading me to explore its characteristics, such as the transition from two dimensions to volume, from 2D to 3D. I then settled on this deployment system, an accordion assembly, effective in evoking that feeling of surprise upon its extension. The combination with crystal paper was key to achieving the desired sense of wonder.
Maja Houtman – The Netherlands
Shiny bracelet, silver, 2024
Wear it and shake it!!! And you’ll be WOW
INHORGENTA MUNICH AWARD
Fanni Nagy – Hungary
No title brooch, magnesium sulphate, dried eucalyptus, cotton linen, brass, dye, stainless steel, 2024
CLUSTER CRAFTS FAIR AWARD
AWARD OF THE MYDAYBYDAY GALLERY
“Wow. Can you believe it? We made it ‒ we truly did. A jewellery artist, just as we dreamed of becoming when we were little.” Every now and then, I find myself marvelling at those words. At each stage of the journey, it felt almost impossible to believe I was progressing toward my dream. First, I became a metalsmith ‒ a foundational step. Then, I advanced to a metal designer. And now, I finally reached the pinnacle of what I’d always aspired to be: a jewellery artist. It’s easy to get consumed by routines and challenges of everyday life and forget to appreciate what we’ve accomplished. But if we stop for a moment and look back at what we’ve attained, it can be surprising to see what we’ve achieved. “Wow, I really did that.” For me, that feeling is the ultimate wow effect ‒ the kind that reminds me how far I’ve come. My creation aims to capture the essence of transience, life, and transformation through symbolism. The front of the brooch, crafted from crystallized eucalyptus leaves, represents changes we experience throughout our lives, capturing the delicate balance between growth and decay. On the back side, a silhouette evokes memories, reminders of moments that shape us. As the brooch is worn, the colours fade, the crystals crack and the form of the piece gradually changes ‒ mirroring the transformation of our lives over time.
Michalina Owczarek-Siwak – Poland
VIVI pendant, synthetic material, white brass, control module, batteries, 2025
AWARD OF THE YES GALLERY
VIVI is living jewellery that requires attention. Interact with it, and it will be happy; neglect it, and it will become sad ‒ until, eventually, it dies.
Luca Sonnentag – Germany
The Silent Summer choker, silver 935, enamel, graphite, 2023
HOPEA COMPANY AWARD
The "Silent Summer" is a handcrafted silver choker. This peace addresses the sixth mass extinction event in Earths' history in which we find ourselves right now. It sheds light on the importance of the foundation building blocks of every ecosystem and draws attention to them being the first domino brick to a long line at the end of which we stand. Once the insects are missing and the first block falls, it will become quiet outside. It is supposed to be reminiscent of mourning jewelry. The work shows 14 scientifically named extinct beetle species and the date of the last sighting on the (back of each). All are accurate representations, hand-drawn with graphite on enamel and burned in at 800°C. The choker is closed with a double horizontal clasp, which is located in thr 15th oval element. It can be opened by pressing the two right-hand wire elements towards each other and pulling. The polish acts as a mirror that is intended to represent. It shows who is responsible for the extinction of over 100 animal and plant species every day.
Klára Valušková – Slovakia
Interaction of light rings, brooches, stainless steel, porcelain, acryl, laser cutting, grinding, soldering, 2024
AWARD OF THE LOST IN JEWELLERY MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL AMBER ASSOCIATION AWARD
The Interaction of Light jewellery collection captures the atmosphere of the environment and responds to changes in lighting. Images from the environment are projected on the porcelain surface of the jewelry and change as the wearer moves. In the way, the jewelry is different in each environment, the transmitted light changes, fades and reappears. The resulting jewels are something like tools for viewing. For the viewer or the wearer, they arouse attention and bring a new insight into the world around them.
Elvira Cibotti – Argentina
Don’t label me necklace/object, ring, upcycle paper, recycled silver, thread, onyx, hand modelled, covered with polished and textured recycled paper, stone threading, 2024
INTERNATIONAL AMBER ASSOCIATION AWARD
Donald Friedlich – The United States
Brooches from the series Lumina, glass coated with quartz and metallic oxides, borosilicate glass, 14ct gold, neodymnium magnets, 2022-2023
HONOURABLE MENTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE GALLERY OF ART IN LEGNICA
INTERNATIONAL AMBER ASSOCIATION AWARD
The pieces play with qualities inherent to both glass and polished gems such as the colour changes of an alexandrite or chatoyance of a star sapphire. Even in Modest ambient light, they sparkle and appear lit from within. This luminescence is due to the optical interaction of two layers of glass that have thin coatings of vaporized quartz and metallic oxides binded to their Surface. The glass in this series has been shaped in a klin and ground and refined with diamond abrasives. Finally, they’re assembled with the use of advanced UV light cured adhesives. Lumina evokes sunlight reflects by the moon, which at times, is disused by cloud cover or fog. It also speaks to the influence the paintings of Mark Rothko and the light sculptures of James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson.