Deganit Stern-Schocken
Israeli artist Prof. Deganit Stern Schocken, studied architecture and industrial design at Bezalel Academy before discovering her passion for jewellery design, captivated by its expressive potential and interdisciplinary nature. Her early work explored the relationship between architecture and jewellery, reinterpreting the Roman fibula as a miniature embodiment of architectural principles. Over time, her designs investigated materiality, space, and the balance between permanence and value, often treating brooches as metaphors for buildings and cityscapes.
In her 2003 project ‘How Many Is One’, exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum, she celebrated irregularity and accidents in the casting process, challenging traditional notions of uniformity. For Stern Schocken, jewellery transcends ornamentation, reflecting cultural, social, and political values. Influenced by her upbringing on a kibbutz, she values dialogue and community, which inform her practice as both an artist and educator.
Stern Schocken’s work often engages with political themes, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ‘Caution, Sharp Edges’ series repurposed discarded materials, such as crushed soft-drink cans collected by the artist near the Kalandia military checkpoint, into precious pendants and wall pieces. These works highlight Palestinians’ hardship and advocate for coexistence, embodying her belief in the transformative power of art to inspire recognition and change.
