SAPPHIRES, RUBIES, EMERALDS ARE SMASHED AND THEN RECONSTRUCTED ON PRECIOUS METAL STRUCTURES TO CREATE AN INNOVATIVE BODY OF WORK. SOME OF THE RESULTS ARE CAREFULLY PLANNED AND DESIGNED, WHILE OTHERS EVOLVE NATURALLY FROM THE INTRINSIC QUALITIES OF THE MATERIALS. LIKE THE EXPERIENCES OF PERSONAL LIFE, THERE IS ALWAYS DESTRUCTION AND LOSS, YET OUT OF THESE PROCESSES COME NEW THINGS AND NEW ORDERS. MY JEWELLERY ILLUSTRATES THIS THEME OF CHAOS AND RECREATION. THERE IS ALWAYS ORDER IN CHAOS. WE LOSE THINGS AND WE GAIN THINGS. IT IS A CONSTANT MOTION.
AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE.
ABOUT
Kelvin J. Birk produces jewellery as well as larger objects, mainly in silver and gold with all types of gemstones.
Within his work, Birk crushes precious gemstones and glues them back together. Sometimes in a random uncontrolled shape, other times in a more composed, calculated manner. Kelvin then combines these stones with jewellery pieces or objects in precious metal.
At the core of Birk’s practice, there is a conscious choice to disregard what is traditionally considerd precious. Birk revels in a lack of control, allowing chaos to take over and the nature of the precious materials to dictate the final outcome. His collection is constantly developing and through diverse creative processes new pieces emerge perpetually, ensuring that no two are identical.
After Graduating in Goldsmithing and jewellery making at the Berufsfachschule fuer Glas und Schmuck in Germany, Birk took his MA in Silversmithing and Jewellery (awarded with distinction) from the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art in London, UK (1997).
Kelvin has exhibited at various fairs and exhibitions in Great Britain, Europe, the USA, China and Taiwan. His work has won him several prizes and awards leading him to receive several grants from different funding bodies. His work has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers and in a range of jewellery and design books.
Kelvin is available for consultations and is happy to discuss special commissions and bespoke pieces.
Additionally, Kelvin J. Birk has become a specialist in up-cycling old jewellery. Birk can recycle your unworn jewellery into a stunning new wearable piece of jewellery.
COURSES AND TEACHING
In 2017, together with a fellow jeweller Katrin Spranger, Birk founded the K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery, which is based at Cockpit Arts, Holborn, London. Along with Birk’s studio.
The K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery is based on a different method to jewellery training where a conceptual, free thinking approach to design is underpinned by a thorough technical training. K2 Academy offers jewellery courses ranging from diploma courses and masterclasses to specialist short courses workshop classes.
Find out more about K2 Academy on their website www.k2jewelleryacademy.london or contact Kelvin directly about his teaching.
In addition he also teaches 1 to 1 bespoke classes in his studio.
