The Artist’s profile
Gitte Nygaard is a jewellery artist who works across disciplines to foster a deeper understanding of the relationship between people and the objects they inhabit. Her practice spans artworks, functional objects, collections, commissioned pieces, and collaborative projects.
For Nygaard, jewellery is a medium that transcends its form, conveying meanings that connect people to each other and to the natural world. Each piece carries with it both personal and geological histories, acting as silent witnesses to their origins and the transformative process that reshapes their meaning in new contexts.
Nygaard believes that gaining insight into materials and processes enhances our respect for the objects that surround us. In an era where consumerism has often reduced objects to mere commodities, her work invites a renewed appreciation for both the materials from which things are made and the intricate processes that bring them to life. Through her creations, Nygaard seeks to highlight the intimate, often overlooked bond between humanity and nature.
The triggers to become an artist
‘’Ultimately, to make is to hold and shape our world between our hands’’- to quote Hans Stofer (‘Makers Move Matter’ publication 2016). But it’s not a world entirely of our own, and a medium such as jewellery particularly emphasizes the connection between people. Because jewellery is created by humans, for humans, with the intention of being worn. That is why jewellery and making has always been essential and a potent choice for me.
‘’Ultimately, to make is to hold and shape our world between our hands’’.
by Hans Stofer, extract from his text in Makers Move Matter publication 2016.
Environmental Concerns
In recent years, Gitte Nygaard’s work has focused on themes related to water and marine organisms. She has explored materials such as second-hand textiles, organic flax, and natural sponges.
Throughout her exploration with these materials, Nygaard has found inspiration in the Japanese concept of ‘mottainai.’ Rooted in Buddhist tradition, this term embodies an animistic and circular approach to products. Mottainai encourages mindfulness in consumption and resource use, advocating for environmentally conscious practices. It emphasizes the creation of handmade objects from natural materials, which are then used and recycled with deep respect for both nature and craftsmanship.
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Gitte Nygaard, Danish, lives and work in Amsterdam
Education
2014–15 Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam, NL
1999–02 Edelsmeden, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam, NL
1996–98 Institute of Precious Metals, Copenhagen, DK
1987–91 Apprentice as jeweler at Georg Jensen, Copenhagen, DK
Through the years, I have received awards as recognition for the quality of my work from various institutions such as: Basisstipendium, Incentive Grant, Fonds BKVB, NL / Incentive Grants, from the Danish Arts Foundation, DK / Startstipendium Basic Grant, Fonds BKVB, Amsterdam, NL / Incentive grant for the jewellery collection Been there – done what, to Binchotan and Black, from Danish National Bank, DK / Production grant for the installation Off-Ground, from the Danish Arts Design and Craft Foundation, DK / Travel grants for representing the project Makers Move at the World Design Capital in Cape Town and for participation at the conference Edgesbordergaps, Sydney, AU and 2nd Lisbon Contemporary Jewellery Biennial from the Danish Arts Design and Craft Foundation, DK / Incentive grant for the jewellery collection Gutter Glitter, Danish Agency for Culture, DK / work collected by the Danish Arts Foundation. Since 2002, I frequently exhibit my work and projects.
A selection of exhibitions & presentations solo (or with one collaboration partner) are as follows: Makers Move Down Under, Sydney College Of the Arts Galleries, University of Sydney, AU / Off-Ground, D.A.C, Danish Architectural Center, Copenhagen, DK / Makers Move invited by the Danish Agency of Culture to the World Design Capital in Cape Town to represent Danish Crafts and Design, SA / Been there, done what, to Binchotan and Black, Gallery Goldfingers, Copenhagen, DK / Gutter Glitter, MANO Gallery, Taipei, TW / Bard Graduation Center, NY, U.S.A / Lisbon 2nd Contemporary Jewellery Biennal, Lisbon, PT.
A selection of group exhibitions are; Brutal Beauty, Marta Herford, Museum für Kunst, Architektur, Design, Herford, DE / Ways to Make, Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein, Munich, DE / KORU5, Kuopio Art Museum, FIN / HOLLAND JAPONISM, Art Fair Tokyo, J / Off-Ground at SAIL, in collaboration with NDSM, NL / Mari Funaki Award, Melbourne, AU / Pronkstukken, Gorcums Museum, NL / DOEN Materiaalprijs, Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, NL / Wood, Velvet da Vinci, San Francisco, U.S.A / To Binchotan and Black, at Salon de Mobile, Consorzio Cantiere Cuccagna, Milan, IT / Rotterdam Design Price, Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, NL / Objects Beautiful at Collect, London, UK / Awn – Obsessed!, Amsterdam, NL.
A Selection publications since 2018
2023 Obsessed, Amsterdam, Current Obsession Magazine, NL.
2021 New Material Award 2009-2018, Stichting DOEN, Fonds Kwadraat, Het Nieuwe Instituut, NL.
2018 Journal of Jewellery Research. Makers Move – Jewellery as a Medium of Exchange, til, 1 ed. http://www.journalofjewelleryresearch.org
Teaching & lectures (selection since 2017)
2022 Workshop, Making Sense, Alchimia Jewellery Department, Firenze, It.
2021 Workshop To Grip and Grasp, Jewellery Linking Bodies Department, Amsterdam, NL.
2015 – 2020 Guest teacher. Course ’Material Culture’ at Kolding Designskole, DK.
2017 Presentation of Makers Move project in Rijksmuseum at Jewellery Matters, Amsterdam, NL.
