David Bielander
Ever since he first roamed the streets of his hometown as a seven year old, concealed behind a mask with his piccolo, David Bielander, born in 1968 in Basel, Switzerland, has been fascinated by the interplay between identity, belonging, dissonance, external perception and the opinions they create.
David Bielander was apprenticed to a goldsmith in his native Basel and worked for jeweller and industrial designer Georg Spreng in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, before studying for six years under Professor Otto Künzli at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. From 2006-10 he was Assistant Professor to Professor Daniel Kruger, Academy of Fine Arts Burg Giebichenstein, Halle, Germany; since 2011 he has been an external consultant to the jewellery department, Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. He has recently been recognised with prestigious prizes: the Munich Förderpreis in 2009; Herbert Hofmann Prize in 2010; the Françoise van den Bosch Prize in 2012; the Swiss Design Award in 2012; the Bayerischer Staatspreis in 2015; the Swiss Grand Award for Design in 2017. He lives and works in Munich and his work is shown in galleries and museums around the world.
PRESS:
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David BielanderPinocchio, 2020Nose/Neckpiece
Carved and waxed wood from confessional (Cherry Tree)L 18 - 21 cm -
David BielanderWellpappe, 2020Bracelet
Silver and white gold8 x 8,5 x 2,5 cm -
David BielanderWellpappe, 2019Silver, white gold.
Edition of 12
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David BielanderPaper bag (Croissant), 2017Patinated silver20 x 11 x 5 cmedition 03/25
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David BielanderPaperbag (Sugar), 2017Patinated silver22 x 9 cmedition of 12
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David BielanderCardboard Heart, 2015Silver, white gold
Edition of 12
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David BielanderWellpappe, 2015Silver 925, white gold
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David BielanderWellpappe, 2015Silver, white gold
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David BielanderTortoise Shell, 2014Antique pure tin plate (1780), repoussé25 × 20 × 7 cm
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David BielanderKoi, 2013Drawing Pins, Leather (orange)Numbered Edition
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David BielanderKoi, 2013Drawing Pins, LeatherNumbered Edition
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David BielanderMoth, 2013Disposable Lighter Hood & GoldH 2.5cm x W 3cmUnlimited Edition
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David BielanderSlug Salt Cellar, 2013Silver, Fine Gold PlatedEdition of 12
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David BielanderBlue Python, 2011/12Titanium, SilverEdition of 12
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David BielanderMamba, 2011/12Titanium, goldEdition 09/12
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David BielanderGentian, 2011Titanium, GoldH 10cm x W 7cmUnlimited Edition
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David BielanderScampi (Cooked), 2009Silver, Copper AnodisedL 50cm x W 2cmNumbered Edition
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David BielanderScampi, 2007SilverL 18cm x H 5.5cmEdition of 25
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TWENTY
Galerie S O Solothurn 21 Sep - 16 Dec 2023After 20 years of dedication to contemporary jewellery and object Gallery S O is pleased to invite you to celebrate this exiting journey at Galerie S O in Solothurn. Die...Read more -
collect 2020
Gallery S O London 27 Feb - 1 Mar 2020Gallery S O is looking forward to seeing you at this year's Collect fair 27 Feb – 1 March hosted at its new location at Somerset House, Strand, London. Exhibition:...Read more -
Stone Exhibition
Gallery S O London 6 Sep - 27 Oct 2019As a pillar in the evolution of human culture, stone has equipped us with tools, weapons, and ploughs as we built under it, into it and upon it. We use...Read more
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S O – LIGHT
Gallery S O London 6 Jun - 28 Jul 2019A group exhibition of current Gallery SO artists. Lin Cheung, Andi Gut, Marc Monzo, Hans Stofer, Peter Bauhuis, Kimiaki Kageyama, Manon van Kouswijk, Bernhard Schobinger, David Clarke, Simone ten Hompel...Read more -
Moonlike
Gallery S O London 8 Feb - 24 Mar 2019Gallery SO is proud to present the group exhibition Moonlike, showcasing a variety of objects and vessels made by 10 international silversmiths. Peter Bauhuis (GER), David Bielander (SUI), Rudolf Bott...Read more -
Summer Show
Gallery S O, London 1 Jun - 29 Jul 2018A selection of jewellery and objects by leading international artists. Includes work by Lin Cheung, Marc Monzo, Sally Marsland, David Bielander, Kirsten Haydon, Ted Noten and Sophie Hanagarth. The gallery's...Read more
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Gallery Artists
Gallery S O London 28 Mar - 29 Apr 2018A selection of contemporary objects in a variety of materials, from silver to ceramic, aluminium and steel. Includes work by Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, David Clarke, Christian Gonzenbach, Simone Ten...Read more -
David Bielander
GALLERY S O, SOLOTHURN 25 Oct - 16 Dec 2017David Bielander Schnecken, Papiersack, Wellpappe, Schildkröte, Rose, Enzian, Sau, Scampi, Pneu, Schlange, Würste und anderes vom 25. Oktober - 16. Dezember 2017 Sie sind herzlich zur Eröffnung der Ausstellung eingeladen...Read more -
Tresor 17
Messe Basel, stand B2 21 - 24 Sep 2017Gallery S O will be showing at Tresor 17 the international fair for contemporary craft, at Messe Basel, from 21 – 24 September. The gallery will be showcasing work by...Read more
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Gallery Artists
Gallery S O 1 Sep - 20 Oct 2017A selection of contemporary jewellery from renown international artists. Includes work by David Bielander, Lin Cheung, Christian Gonzenbach, Marc Monzó , Bernhard Schobinger, Bettina Speckner, Hans Stofer.Read more -
Collect 2017
Saatchi Gallery, London 2 - 6 Feb 2017Gallery S O will be showing at Collect 2017 (stand 5.3) the International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects, at the Saatchi Gallery, London from 2 – 6 February. The gallery...Read more -
Gallery Artists
Gallery S O London 7 - 30 Oct 2016A group exhibition of selected contemporary jewellery from renown international artists.Read more
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CHAIN
Gallery S O London 8 Apr - 5 Jun 2016Gallery S O is very pleased to announce a group exhibition about CHAIN. A series of interlinking loops joined together, the chain belies the simplicity of its construction through complex...Read more -
Gallery Artists
Gallery S O London 4 Feb - 30 Jun 2016 -
artgenève
Stand C42 & B43 28 - 31 Jan 2016Gallery S O is very pleased to be representing Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Rudolf Bott, David Clarke, Warwick Freeman, Christian Gonzenbach, Joe Sheehan, Bettina Speckner, Hans Stofer, Annelies Štrba, Michael...Read more
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Jewellery & Objects
Gallery S O London 11 Nov 2015 - 10 Jan 2016A celebration of what we do including work by: David Bielander, David Clarke, Christian Gonzenbach, Kirsten Haydon, Kimiaki Kageyama, Otto Künzli, Sally Marsland, Marc Monzo, Sonia Morel, Ted Noten, Bernhard...Read more -
Brooches
Gallery S O London 2 Jul - 2 Aug 2015 -
David Bielander : Koi for Joy
Gallery S O London 3 May - 30 Jun 2013Pig, snake, rat, beetle, tyre, sausage, prawn; the subjects of David Bielander's figurative jewellery are readily recognisable - a selection of archetypes which could be derived from a child's illustrated primer. Bielander is not interested in animals per se, but uses them for their universal accessibility, a category of simple concepts, readily recognised and identified. They are the hooks to draw us into a relationship with the work: the incongruity of wearing slug or pig or sausage prompts comment, demands debate, precipitates social interaction. And perhaps their status as contemporary jewellery pieces is initially overlooked in this process, to the artist's great satisfaction. At first these works with their different materials and approaches seem the product of an extraordinarily diverse practice, but there is an absolute consistency of vision here: David Bielander's work is underpinned by an integrity of design and a knowing purpose which observes the conventions of adornment and the desire to communicate, whilst presenting a unique aesthetic, startling in its graphic clarity.Read more
For all their controversial engagement with representation, these objects are designed for the body; it is of utmost importance that they are wearable and comfortable, react well with the wearers, and give them pleasure. The surface of the helical 'Koi', for example, is made up of what we recognise instantly to be thumbtacks; we know them to be sharp, but the bracelet is articulated and flexible, lined with the softest of leathers to make the koi a joy to wear.
For Bielander, the material, however surprising and unconventional, is very much at the service of the object, and is selected not for its value but for its graphic appropriateness: a low grade steel spoon for the Dung Beetle, for example, cut and manipulated without loss of substance, enables an alchemical metamorphosis, from spoon to beetle. Bielander makes beautifully crafted objects, but wishes the delight of recognising and connecting with them to be removed from ideas of workmanship or of effort, or of the value of craft. Thus the patinated surface treatment of the Slug belies the fact that it is formed of beaten sterling silver, a delicate cupped shape given a sluggish sheen.
Bielander's work comes to London at a time when the graphic pop art of Roy Lichtenstein is enjoying renewed prominence. Like Lichtenstein, Bielander makes works which are deceptively simple, presented in a clear, pared-down language derived from archetypes, cartoons and signs. In his hands, commonplace imagery is raised to a higher purpose, through refinement and balance of design, careful manipulation of context, and sheer confidence of delivery. His work finesses the ordinary into something remarkable.
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Chamber of Wonder : International Art Jewellery
Gallery S O London 7 Dec 2012 - 27 Jan 2013To coincide with the Design Museum's survey show Unexpected Pleasures: The Art and Design of Contemporary Jewellery, GALLERY S O London presents Chamber of Wonder.Read more
While the term 'cultural resistance' has become synonymous with the world of social sciences in the 1970s, new energies emerged elsewhere. From the sub, counter and resistance cultures exciting developments in contemporary jewellery blossomed and a fresh identifiable movement among designers and makers of the day was born. The work asked questions about the cultural meanings of gender, material value and the intimate relationship between the object and body. Wearable pieces were made to rethink social rituals and stereotypes and queried the notion of how and why we adorn ourselves.
Following in the spirit of this movement Chamber of Wonder shows the work of current designer makers united by their irreverence of traditional notions of luxury jewellery and a curiosity for reinterpreting objects found and fashioned to wear. From Bernhard Schobinger's choker of hexagon rock crystal slabs linked with fine gold to Hans Stofer's renovated skipping rope necklace with timeworn handles, or David Bielander's silky, silver garlic bulb pendant, the works in the show celebrate the diverse expressions of the genre and offer fresh alternatives to the 'proper' function of jewellery. -
David Bielander
Gallery S O Solothurn 26 Feb - 24 Mar 2012to be is to do Sokrates to do is to be Platon do be do be do SinatraRead more -
22 Bricks at a Time
Gallery S O London 2 Dec 2011 - 29 Jan 2012Contemporary metalwork and jewellery by 22 international artists:Read more
Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Rudolf Bott, Helen Britton, David Clarke, Christian Gonzenbach, Andi Gut, Therese Hilbert, Simone ten Hompel, Kimiak Kageyama, Manon van Kouswijk, Otto Kunzli, Mark Monzo, Sonia Morel, Ted Noten, Mah Rana, Michael Rowe, Fabrice Schaefer, Bernhard Schobinger, Hans Stofer, Manuel Vilhena, Lisa Walker.
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Collect Rocks, Plant Flag
Gallery S O London 4 - 27 Nov 2011Exhibited artists: David Bielander, Alexander Blank, Gemma Draper, Manon van Kouswijk, Benjamin Lignel, Sari Liimatta, Marc Monzo.Read more -
Multiples
Gallery S O Solothurn 20 May - 18 Jun 2011Specially commissioned by Gallery S O, 21 International Artists respond to the concept of multiples: Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Helen Britton, David Clarke, Iris Eichenberg, Andreas Fabian, Christian Gonzenbach, Andi...Read more -
Multiples
Gallery S O London 5 Nov 2010 - 16 Jan 2011Specially commissioned by Gallery S O, 21 International Artists respond to the concept of multiples:Read more
Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Helen Britton, David Clarke, Iris Eichenberg, Andreas Fabian, Christian Gonzenbach, Andi Gut, Tony Hayward, Therese Hilbert, Simone ten Hompel, Manon van Kouswijk, Otto Künzli, Marc Monzo, Mah Rana, Michael Rowe, Antoinette Vonder Mühll, Bernhard Schobinger, Hans Stofer, Manuel Vilhena, Lisa Walker.
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On Display
Gallery S O London 26 May - 25 Jul 2010Works of Gallery S O Artists: Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Helen Britton, David Clarke, Christian Gonzenbach, Andi Gut, Kimiaki Kageyama, Simone ten Hompel, Manon van Kouswijk, Otto Künzli, Marc Monzo,...Read more -
Selected Contemporary Jewellery and Objects by International Artists
Gallery S O Solothurn 11 Dec 2009 - 21 Feb 2010Exhibited artists: Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Helen Britton, David Clarke, Andi Gut, Kimiaki Kageyama, Simone ten Hompel, Manon van Kouswijk, Otto Künzli, Marc Monzo, Ted Noten, Mah Rana, Michael Rowe,...Read more
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MEDUSA Bijoux et tabous
Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris May 20, 201719 May — 5 November 2017 An exhibition exploring the history of jewellery and its taboos, including works by Peter Bauhuis, David Bielander, Lin Cheung,...Read more -
Jewellery / material craft art
Swiss National Museum / Landesmuseum Zürich May 20, 201719.05.17 — 22.10.17 The starting point of the ‘Jewellery. materials craft art’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich is the comprehensive collection of the Swiss...Read more -
David Bielander: Swiss Grand Award for Design 2017
Messe Basel, Hall 3 April 25, 201713 – 18 June 2017 Congratulations to David Bielander for winning this year's Swiss Grand Award for Design, together with comic-book artist and illustrator Thomas...Read more
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David Bielander: Anything but Ordinary
Article on Crafts Magazine (March / April issue) March 2, 2017Imogen Greenhalgh meets with David Bielander to discuss his major new show at the MUDAC, Lausanne. 'If Richard Slee is, in Oliver Watson’s words, the...Read more -
David Bielander: Schweizer Schmuckdesigner David Bielander / Der Demiurg schafft und scheitert
Article in "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" March 1, 2017Article about David Bielander exhibition at the MUDAC museum in Lausanne (08.02.2017 - 30.04.2017). Read article Download pdfRead more -
David Bielander: Carte blanche to David Bielander
solo exhibition at Mudac, Lausanne December 10, 201608.02.2017 - 30.04.2017 Congratulations to David Bielander for his solo show at the Mudac, Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts, in Lausanne. The exhibition...Read more
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I AM HERE : Crafts Council
November 11, 2015UPPER GULBENKIAN GALLERY, ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART, LONDON 9 - 25 November 2015 Gallery S O is pleased to be involved with this touring CRAFTS...Read more -
David Bielander : Bavarian State Prize
April 3, 2015David Bielander is annouced as the winner of the prestigious Bayerischer Staatspreis (the Bavarian State Prize) at this year's Internationale Handwerksmesse in Munich, Germany. David's...Read more