BIOGRAPHY
Jonathan Hens is a Belgian artist who first studied fashion design before earning a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Jewellery Design and Silversmithing (2012) all from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
Hens responds to his own definition of culture. By experimenting, he not only explores the different qualities of materials, but also generates new dimensionality to it.
He has exhibited in the United States and widely in Europe including various exhibitions during Schmuck, Sieraad and has won the prestigious Graduation Prize at Marzee.
STATEMENT
Jonathan Hens' striking work speaks of recent developments in today's world, which has seen a fusion between the banal and the subcultures and becomes a place where men and women have merged into androgynous beings.
His designs are the result of an intense search for an alternative identity. Rather than a classic example of beauty, the viewer gets to see Hens' interpretation of it.
His work mirrors (or reflects) 'the now', a place where there is scope for experiment and self-expression. His atypical aesthetic has no truck with traditional techniques. Jonathan Hens creates a visual game between austere forms and a rough edge finish. He heightens the geometry and textures to bind the various elements in different ways.
His work raises many questions, such as what beauty means today and whether there is still a difference between the sexes.
Jonathan Hens' work gives us greater insight into the diversity of our world.
/Jorge Manilla
HUMAN 2.0
X10IONS OF THE TRIBE
THE CITY IS MY CHURCH #1
MUT. 8
EDUCATION
2011-2012
Master Jewellery design and Silversmithing, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium)
2008-2011
Bachelor Jewellery design and Silversmithing, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium)
2007-2008
Bachelor Fashion design, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium)
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020
“METALLOphone” Bokšto, Vilnius (Lithuania)
“BEIGE” Mette Saabye's gallery, Copenhagen (Denmark)
2019
“Alliages Legacy Collection” Espace Solidor, Cagnes-Sur-Mer (France)
2018
“European Triennial for contemporary jewellery” Gustavsbergs Konsthall, Stockholm (Sweden)
“BLANCO” Pestalozzistrasse, Munich (Germany)
“Transformation” Westendstrasse, Munich (Germany)
2017
“European Triennal for Contemporary Jewellery” WCC- BF, Mons (Belgium)
“Difference” six d.o.g.s, Athens (Greece)
“NO EXPIRY” 3 stations, Münich (Germany)
“Belgian and Swedes” Galerie Beyond, Antwerp (Belgium)
2016
“HUMAN 2.0” Beyond Fashion 3m2 project room, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Swedes and Belgian Blues” Four gallery, Göteborg (Sweden)
“Joya 2016” Centre d'art Santa Mònica, Barcelona (Spain)
“Autor 2016” Grand hotel Du boulevard, Bucharest (Romania)
“Talente 2016” Internationale Handwerksmesse, Munich (Germany)
“TRANS-IT” 3 stations, Münich (Germany)
2015
“Pressieux passages #2” La maison du Bijou, Ardèche (France)
“Tweex 3” Vander A gallery, La vénerie, Brussels (Belgium)
“Oscure sacrifices” 3 stations, Münich (Germany)
2014
“On the horizon” Brooklyn metal works, Brooklyn NY (USA)
“Lights ON/Lights OFF” 3 stations, Münich (Germany)
“Driven by talent” Umicore Zilverpaviljoen, Antwerp (Belgium)
2013
“Precious passages” Forney library, Paris (France)
“Art of hair” Headlines, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Dark” 3 stations, Münich (Germany)
“International Graduate show jewellery 2013” Marzee, Nijmegen (The Netherlands)
2012
“Brunch affair” 66 rue de Viaduc, Brussels (Belgium)
“De 3 van 'A'” KAN Antwerpen, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Sieraad International Jewellery Art Fair 2012” Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
“Ventura Interieur 2012” Buda Factory, Kortrijk (Belgium)
“International Graduate show jewellery 2012” Marzee, Nijmegen (The Netherlands)
“Jewellery Graduation show 2012” Mercator-Orteliushuis, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Masterprojecten '12” Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium)
“The Sound of Silver & Broches para las Chicas” 3 stations, Munich (Germany)
2011
“Sieraad 2011” Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
“Graduation Show Bachelor projects” wintertuin Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Recycle” Silvermuseum Sterckshof, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Jewels for the ladies” 3 stations, Munich (Germany)
“True gems” Helder, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Jewels for the ladies” designcenter Winkelhaak, Antwerp (Belgium)
2010
“Design biënnale Interieur 2010” Interieurbeurs, Kortrijk (Belgium)
“Fashion benefiting for Brazil” Automobile Center, Mechelen (Belgium)
“Dormitory_Bauleitung_Laboratorio” 3 stations, Munich (Germany)
PROJECTS
2012
“Is it mine or is it yours?” with David Bielander and Helen Britton, Antwerp (Belgium)
“100 Carats, Fatal Transactions” with Theo Smeets and Hilde Van Der Heyden, Antwerp (Belgium)
2011
“Collection of the Present” with Tabea Reulecke, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Recycle, the sound of silver” with Gisbert Stach and Tom De Cock, Antwerp (Belgium)
2010
“Sans Cravate” with Anita Evenepoel and Hermès, Paris (France)
“Night jewellery” with Bettina Speckner, Antwerp (Belgium)
2009
“Film project” with Gisbert Stach, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Plastics workshop” with Hans Weyers, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Paper workshop” with Jean Decoster, Antwerp (Belgium)
“Orfit workshop” with Anita Evenepoel, Antwerp (Belgium)
2008
“Textile workshop” with Anita Evenepoel, Antwerp (Belgium)
PUBLICATIONS
2019
“Alliages” catalogue
2017
“6th European Triennal for Contemporary Jewellery” catalogue
“Athens Jewellery Week 2017” catalogue
“Current Obsession” paper
2016
“Göteborgsposten” paper
“Autor” film
“Talente 2016” catalogue
“TWEEX 3” catalogue
2015
“Gemvisions 2016 Swarovski” catalogue
2014
“On the horizon” catalogue
2013
“Pressieux passages” catalogue
“Driven by talent” catalogue
2012
“Weekend Knack- 5/12/2012” magazine
“Sieraad international art fair 2012” catalogue
“Interieur 2012” catalogue
“Kwintessens design” magazine
“Marzee international graduate show 2012” catalogue
AWARDS
2012
“Jewellery design and silversmithing” Antwerp (Belgium)
"Interieur Ventura” Antwerp (Belgium)
“Marzee graduate prize 2012” Nijmegen (The Netherlands)
