Dear Nina,
We are very pleased to invite you to “Schmuck 2020” the special jewellery show during the 72nd International trade fair Munich.
Chequita Nahar, dean of Academy of Fine Arts and Design Maastricht selected 63 artists from 29 countries out of 802 applications from 61 countries. Please find enclosed the list of the participants. We will publish her statement in the catalogue. You can see your selected works with a green frame on your page at www.hwk-expo.de.
We were on our way to Amsterdam for a 5 day excursion to visit galleries and attend the Marjan Unger lecture as part of the university program, when the above email came in. I had to read it a few times… did it really say what I thought it said? No….really? Yes, it did. I was selected for Schmuck 2020. I have been submitting an application for Schmuck every year since my first year of study at Whitireia, not expecting anything but giving it a go anyway. Shock, disbelief, jubilance!
I was so excited to go and immerse myself into the treasure trove that is Munich Jewellery week. I was thrilled that I would be able to see my work exhibited at Schmuck amongst the other artist’s work, to attend the official functions, meet and greet, make new connections and expand my network. Such an honour and to this day still a bit surreal.
Coming from New Zealand and only being able to see works in books and online, I was looking forward to seeing this jewellery in real life, perhaps touch, feel and smell some of it, to attend lectures, hang out with fellow NZ’rs, to be overwhelmed and inspired.
I returned to Germany after the HS6 masterclasses on 28 February. Within a matter of just a few days it became clear that this corona virus was serious. As a result the Fair in Munich and therefor the Schmuck exhibition was cancelled. A huge disappointment.
My insurance did not cover me for epidemics or pandemics and even though Munich Jewellery Week was still on, I didn’t think it was wise to attend.
I decided to go to Holland, where as a national I could get comprehensive insurance and ride this storm out over the next few months. Because the master study in Germany was not fulfilling my needs, I would use this time in Holland to re-evaluate my plans. Perhaps I could study in Munich or Nurnberg, live and work in Holland for a while or return to NZ?
As numbers increased by the thousands within a week in Europe, I felt the need to be closer to my girls, so here I am, one week after arriving in Holland, back in NZ. Feeling safe and immensely grateful for a government that has decided to act quickly and strongly.
The cancellation of Schmuck and not being able to attend MJW now pales into insignificance with the devastation and despair in Europe where so many people are dying, elderly loved ones can’t be visited, jobs are lost, businesses go bankrupt, and sadly some of that will happen here too.
The last 3 weeks have been stressful and an emotional roller coaster, but I count my blessings; I am healthy, my children are healthy, I won’t suffer financial hardship like some. Yes, I will be a bit lonely for a month on my own but I will manage. I look forward to hugging my girls and my friends in a month’s time. In the meantime I will do what I can to look after others from a distance and will get stuck into my work… it has been a while.
Main image taken from Klimt02
https://klimt02.net/events/exhibitions/schmuck-talente-2020-two-virtual-exhibitions-klimt02
Piece selected for the Schmuck 2020 catalogue
Piece 2 and 3 selected for Schmuck 2020
Here is a link to the online Schmuck 2020 catalogue:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16pNoHKmu4M8p9ZsDeqzls75YiFR3Sk0D/view
