Munich, 07 March 2026 – The Herbert-Hofmann-Award 2026 winners are: Ela Bauer (Netherlands), Mira Kim (Korea/Canada) and Zhipeng Wang (China).
Mira Kim is honoured for a delicate ring created using the Mokume-gane technique. The technique is traditionally employed in a highly ordered manner. Here, however, the artist explores new possibilities. In her ring, differently coloured metal alloys swirl into ornamental forms, overlaid with engraved patterns produced using the almost forgotten Guilloché technique.
Zhipeng Wang is honoured for a brooch made of green-and-white jade and gold. Both materials carry strong cultural associations. The artist describes a reinterpretation of the conventional market treatment of these raw materials and the artificiality of their prices. Precious gold is embedded in seemingly worthless jade waste. In this way, a new artistic and aesthetic value emerges.
Ela Bauer The combination of organic and inorganic material leads to structures that reveal their full effect when worn on the body. The delicate workmanship allows glimpses into a seemingly closed form that is supported by a disc. The finely balanced interplay of colours extends into the three-dimensional.
Jury
Dr. Markus Eder, Danner Stiftung, Munich
Malte Guttek, Goldschmiedehaus, Hanau
Stefano Marchetti, jewellery artist, Padua
Michael Schischke, Institut français, Munich
Friederike Zobel, Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim
The special show SCHMUCKmünchen is organised by the Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria and sponsored by the Danner Foundation in Munich. The Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy provides financial support for the exhibition. The award is named after the art historian Herbert Hofmann, who initiated the first international jewellery exhibition at the Internationale Handwerksmesse in 1959.
Further information about the fair can be found at www.ihm-handwerk-design.com.
