Unnecessary Jewellery

Unnecessary Jewellery is an open curatorial project in which we are equally focused on seeking high-quality works representing the global field of contemporary jewellery art (the exhibition features objects created by internationally recognized artists), as well as finding new audiences and presentation spaces beyond the narrow circle of specialists and enthusiasts of this niche discipline. We believe that, alongside the growing interest in applied arts observed in recent years – including textiles, glass, and ceramics – the time has come for contemporary jewellery.

Art jewellery, situated at the intersection of craft, art, and design, is a field of experimentation in form, technique, and material. On a narrative level, it engages both with universal themes and the realities of everyday life. At the same time, unlike other areas of contemporary art, it uses a language of symbols and meanings rooted in the centuries-old tradition of body adornment. It functions as an independent form of artistic expression, yet always in relation to the human body and the functional nature of the object.

Jewellery carries a strong emotional charge, shaped by the intimate way it is worn and experienced. Remaining in close relationship with the body, it becomes an extension of ourselves – a means of self-expression and communication, while also acting as an object that empowers and encourages dialogue. The name Unnecessary Jewellery refers to the only seemingly unnecessary nature of jewellery, which for centuries has remained a powerful sign of identity and a tool of self-expression.

Curators: Professor Sławomir Fijałkowski, Arek Wolski, Anna Wójcik