The Artist’s profile
Sam Tho Duong’s jewellery practice is deeply rooted in observation—of nature, everyday life, and the ever-changing processes of growth and decay. His work is defined by experimentation, incorporating an eclectic range of materials, from minerals and plastics to leftover fruit and even toilet paper. This openness to unconventional materials, combined with his meticulous and methodical approach, has been described by one of his tutors–jewellery designer Wolli Lieglein, as akin to that of a dedicated diary writer—recording every step, every change, and every challenge along the way.
Born in South Vietnam, Duong fled to Pforzheim, Germany, in 1981 for political reasons. There, he discovered his passion for jewellery, drawn to both the craft and the expressive possibilities it offered. Today, he embraces the freedom to explore form and material without limitations, often allowing chance and even failed attempts to guide his creative process. His work stands as a testament to curiosity, transformation, and the beauty found in the unexpected.
”Sam Tho Duong’s approach is reminiscent of that of a meticulous diary writer. Nothing is left out, every change is noted, step by step is recorded and recorded.”
by Wolli Lieglein, jewellery designer, academic teacher of Sam Tho Duong.
Environmental Concern
The artist works with recycled and upcycled materials, such as plastic bottles, paper, and plastic nests, aiming to give new life to these items. He also experiments with a wide range of natural materials, including minerals and leftover fruit. Throughout his practice, he strives to handle all materials with care, emphasizing sustainability in his making process.
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Sam Tho Duong, born in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, lives and work in Pforzheim, Germany.
Education & Activities
2002 – Freelance Designer
1998 – 2002 University of Design Pforzheim,Diplom-Design (FH),Germany
1994 – 1998 Goldsmith employee by Dr.Wellendorff GmbH Pforzheim,Germany
1992 – 1993 Goldsmith Apprenticeship by Dr.Wellendorff GmbH Pforzheim,Germany
1989 – 1992 Technical College for Design of Jewelry & Objects Pforzheim,Germany
1987 – 1989 Berufsfachschule Pforzheim,Germany
A selection of exhibitions and group exhibitions are; 2024, European Prize for Applied Arts 2024, Mons-Belgium, / 2024, “ Hand-selected by Sam Tho Duong“, jewelry museum Pforzheim-Germany, / 2024, Gallery Ping & Rodach, Munich-Germany, / 2023, Schmuck 2023, Munich-Germany, / 2023, Gallery Kunzt 66, Munich-Germany, / 2022, European Prize for Applied Arts 2021 (choice), Barcelona-Spain, / 2022, FJW- Florence Jewellery Week 2022, Florence-Italy, / 2021, European Prize for Applied Arts 2021, Mons-Belgium, / 2021, The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2021, Korea, / 2021, Gallery Handwerk „Mode und Natur“, Munich-Germany, / 2020, “Quintessenz“ Atelier Martina Dempf in der Remise, Berlin-Germany, / 2019, Gallery La Joaillerie/ Mazlo “MIRABILIA”, Paris-France, / Gallery Handwerk “natural beauty”, Munich-Germany, / 2018, LOEWE craftprize,design museum, London-England, / 2017, Museum Volkenkunde, Leiden-Netherlands, / Jewellery 1970-2015 collection Bollmann, Goldschmiedehaus Hanau-Germany, / Schmuck 2017, Munich-Germany, / 2016, 18. Silbertiennale International, Goldschmiedehaus Hanau-Germany, / Christie`s France SNC, Paris-France, / Solo-Exh.6.Hanauer Stadtgoldschmied, Hanau-Germany, / 2014, Friedrich Becker Prize 2014, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf-Germany, / 2013, Precious Mechanisms,Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Hanoi-Vietnam, / PEARLS,V&A and Qatar Museums Authority Exhibition, London-UK, / Gallery Handwerk”Im Dialog mit dem Barock”, New Castle Schleißheim, Munich-Germany, / 2012, Unexpected Pleasures,Design Museum, London-UK, / Schaumgeboren & Sagenumwoben, Jewellery Museum, Pforzheim-Germany, / Exh. of Contemporary German Metal Crafts, Taipei-Taiwan, / Unexpected Pleasures, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne-Australia, / Solo-Exh.Gallery Marianne Heller, Heidelberg-Germany, / 2011, Open Mind, Sungkok Art Museum, Seoul-South Korea, / European Triennial for contemporary Jewellery, Mons-Belgium, / 10th Triennial, Museum of Applied Arts, Frankfurt-Germany, / Schmuck 2009, Munich-Germany, / Schmuck 2004, Munich-Germany, / Schmuck 2001, Munich-Germany
Awards
2017 Audience Award UNIKATE, Pforzheim
2015 6th Hanuer Stadtgoldschmied
2014 Friedrich Becker Prize 2014
2014 State prize Baden-Württemberg (nomination) and prize of city Karlsruhe
2012 1st prize winner of Friends of Carlotta (FoC)
2011 1st prize winner of Friends of Carlotta (FoC)
2010 State prize Kunsthandwerk Baden-Württemberg (nomination) and prize of city Reutlingen
2009 Herbert-Hofmann-Prize
2006 37th Deutscher Schmuck-&Edelsteinpreis Idar-Oberstein (commendation)
2002 RRH-Stipendium competition (commendation)
2001 Colorit-competition “Partnerschmuck” ,1st prize
2001 “the 2nd cheongju international…”, appreciation
1999 Swarovski “Kopfschmuck” competition,1st prize
Public Collections
Dallas Museum of Art DMA, Dallas, Texas-USA
Sir Norman Foster, London-UK
Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum, Trondheim-Norway
Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe-Germany
Marion Fulk, Little Rock-USA
Victoria & Albert Museum, London-UK
Qatar Museums Authority, Doha-Qatar
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York-USA
CODA-Museum, Apeldoorn-Netherlands
German Goldsmiths House, Hanau-Germany
Mint-Museum of Craft + Design, USA
Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim-Germany
Bollmann, Vienna-Austria
ISSP-purchase for Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim-Germany
Prof.Hermann Jünger, Munich-Germany
and private ( Qatar, Vietnam, France, Japan, Canada, Finland, Thailand, Bulgaria …)
