50th Anniversary of Galerie Handwerk München

Founded as a private gallery in 1968, Galerie Handwerk [Crafts Gallery] became affiliated with the Bayerischer Handwerkstag [Bavarian Chamber of Crafts] in 1975 and later with the Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern [Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria]. Under the direction of Peter Nickl, it developed in the 1980s into an internationally recognized institution in which superlative achievements of European craftsmanship were presented. Wolfgang Lösche, who has directed Galerie Handwerk together with his team since 2003, further intensified the gallery’s dedication to artisanal and artistic quality, to the search for newness, and to “conveying to the general public a deeper understanding of the importance and culture of form-giving craftsmanship,” which increasingly overlaps with the visual arts. The gallery also accompanies and supports young talents. The gallery’s work includes all areas of design, including the preservation of historical monuments; the art of jewelry is an important focal point. To coincide with the Handwerksmesse [Internatioal Crafts Fair], Galerie Handwerk annually presents an outstanding jewelry exhibition, which contributes to Munich’s significance as one of the world’s foremost centers of contemporary art jewelry.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Galerie Handwerk exclusively presents works from Munich-based ateliers and artists. Circa 60 participants in the genres of glass, ceramic, jewelry, textile, metal, paper and stage design show the diverse, sophisticated and international presence of artisanal design in Munich. Approximately one third of the show’s exhibitors came to Munich from other countries. The goldsmith’s class at Munich’s Academy of Visual Arts was an essential contributor to the show, which also features works from the Academy’s class in stage design, which has attracted admiring attention with its surprising presentations in recent years.

Eunmi Chun, necklace Wings, 2017. Intestine, thread, 47 × 30 × 2 cm.

Kerstin Becker, water carafe and cup. Silver 925, mounted.

The exhibitors of the anniversary exhibition

Alexandra Bahlmann, Otto Baier, Peter Bauhuis, Kerstin Becker, Manfred Bergmeister, Doris Betz, David Bielander, Alexander Blank, Christian Blank, Thierry Boissel, Helen Britton, Eunmi Chun, Heigert & Möbs, Alexander Emil Deubl, Nandl Eska, Doerthe Fuchs, Christine Graf, Sandra Hasenöder, Therese Hilbert, Daniel Huss, Mari Ishikawa, Junwon Jung, Ike Jünger, Jiro Kamata, Elisabeth Klein und Klaus Hackl, Otto Künzli, Annamaria Leiste, Mechthild Lobisch, Christa Lühtje, Mayer’sche Hofkunstanstalt GmbH-Mayer of Munich mit Kiki Smith, Ruth Gurvich und Shahzia Sikander, Yutaka Minegishi, Christian Muscheid, Erico Nagai, Henriette Olbertz-Weinfurter, Gabriele von Pechmann, Karen Pontoppidan, Dorothea Reese-Heim, Billa Reitzner, Gerd Rothmann, Barbara Schrobenhauser, Henriette Schuster, Bongchull Shin, Hubertus von Skal, Gisbert Stach, Keiyona C. Stumpf, Mirei Takeuchi, Takayoshi Terajima, Gustav van Treeck. Werkstätten für Mosaik und Glasmalerei GmbH mit Jan Davidoff, Christine Wagner, Florian Weichsberger, Christiane Wilhelm, Lugh Amber Wittig.