GETTING TO KNOW:
CHRISTOPH STRAUBE
Hi Christoph!
Congratulations on being shortlisted
for the Cluster Jewellery Residency 2021
Studio view | 2021
Photo by Daniel Heydt
How would you introduce yourself to the Cluster readers?
I was born in Munich, Germany, and have studied jewellery design
at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg. Since 2006 I have been working in my own studio in Nuremberg. Because the lines
between art, design, and contemporary jewellery as an applied art
are becoming more and more blurred, you are welcome to call me
an artist, jewellery designer, or craftsperson. Or just an enameller, because enamel is the main part of my work.
How did you get here on your creative journey?
Things were hardly predictable, one step led to the other. In the field
of art jewellery, there is a strong community and I have always
been looking for good places to connect and to meet with others.
Series of brooches | Untitled | 2018 | stainless steel, enamel
Necklace | Untitled | 2020 | stainless steel, enamel
What drew you to jewellery?
I had an interest in crafts, so I just started a goldsmith education without having much idea of the overall job. But I figured out that I loved the way of working
and the scale of the work, so I kept going.
Whilst studying at the art college, I sometimes considered switching to another field, but I found jewellery
to be the ideal combination of technical and artistic aspects. And how a jewellery piece, when worn, appears in relation to the wearer, is quite unique.
Tell us about the work you submitted…
My pieces should follow a kind of inner logic: for instance,
not any shape would work for me when put together as a necklace.
The 3D geometry, which is only seen as pictures on flat elements,
opens up a three dimensional space, which is illusionary but needs
to be logical per se. This aspect in combination with functionality
and wearability limits the number of possibilities very much.
But by exploring and playing with these possibilities a whole world
of shapes emerges through size, proportion, and colour.
Brooches may seem easier to plan at the beginning, but they require
a shape which is simple enough to allow for a strong appearance. Regarding the pendants, there are so many ways to put something
on a string. Here, I really like the task of finding the best way to attach
the string so that it makes sense according to the particular pendant’s shape and the character of the piece.
Necklace | Untitled | 2020 | stainless steel, enamel
Studio view | 2021
Photo by Daniel Heydt
How would you describe your creative style and way of working?
Firstly I make sketches, on any paper lying around because it is the fastest way
for me to sort out ideas. Then it’s about determining the functionality and the appearance of the piece. I do this on the computer, where I can rotate geometries,
cut them into pieces and change shapes very quickly. The computer is a great tool for me, just like a file or a saw. When I have the exact shapes I saw them from a steel sheet, make functional parts like brooch needles, link connections for necklaces, etc.
and enamel a white background, similar to preparing a canvas.
The colours come by spraying finely ground enamels, firing several times in the kiln
and partially erasing by sandblasting. That’s an open process, because it allows
a certain randomness. Many times I end up with colours which I didn’t plan
to use beforehand.The most amazing aspect of making is that I can only see if the work
is right at the very end, when a piece is finished and a necklace is finally put together.
Keywords to describe your imagery?
Illusionistic, graphical, geometric, playful.
Pendant | Untitled | 2019 | stainless steel, enamel
Studio view | 2021
Photo by Daniel Heydt
Social media and you: the good, the bad and the ugly.
Tell us all…
I’m only on Instagram, which is very helpful to keep track of what’s going on in the jewellery scene, seeing great works of others and to keep people updated. For news information, I still rely on traditional media.
For direct communication, I gladly write emails or pick up the phone.
I think I’m quite old-fashioned in this regard.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
On workdays: the prospect of making new pieces.
Ideally, in combination with good weather.
On holidays: good weather.
Necklace | Untitled | 2019 | stainless steel, enamel
Pendant | Untitled | 2020 | stainless steel, enamel
Who are your idols?
In my eyes, an idol would be a person who is admirable
in every sense - unfortunately, nobody's perfect.
In different stages of your life, you can be inspired by various aspects
of what a person does or says, so you pick out what you need
at these times. Idols change over time.
So, any good person can be an idol for me.
What's on your creative calendar for the near future?
There’s an art fair coming up soon, but I am doubtful that it will take place
because so many events have been cancelled this year.
I am more in a stage of orientation now and I just keep on working,
following up some ideas for new pieces and zooming with people
from our collective to make plans for the future. But I am positive that until the end
of the year things will get better and I’ll plan to take part in regular
events again at that time.
Studio view | 2021
Photo by Daniel Heydt
Personal motto/mantra?
Don’t look through the microscope.
When you focus too much on a problem in life or a single aspect of your work,
it’s hard to be objective and you are very likely to miss the whole picture.
Brooch: backside | Untitled | 2020 | stainless steel, enamel
Brooch | Untitled | 2021 | stainless steel, enamel
Tips, tricks and secrets for making it in the art world?
Meet people and keep contact with your colleagues.
Working together in collectives helps a lot to be seen because taking part in larger events is much easier in a group.
Apply for group exhibitions frequently: when you make good works, people will recognise you when you take part in events regularly.
You can find Christoph Straube on the web:
Instagram & his website
Thank you for reading,
Valeria, Daniel & Cluster Team.