MICHAEL BECKER MOVEMENT & COLOUR
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MICHAEL BECKER MOVEMENT & COLOUR The Scottish Gallery is delighted to present the jewellery of Michael Becker as part of our Festival exhibitions. Michael studied at the Fachhochschule Cologne, Germany. The exhibition contains four distinct collections; the first is gold which examines Becker’s use of subtle texture and geometric shapes. The three additional groups are lapis lazuli, uvarovite and red pigment. They all represent a technical grace combined with a sensitivity of the natural world and the impact of colour and texture. His exquisite small scale constructions offer us a powerful contemporary interpretation of the most ancient of materials.
Front cover: Necklace, 2012, Au 750 (gold), 520 x 15 mm Left: Michael Becker in his studio, Munich, 2014
GOLD ‘The nature of gold is ambiguous: in one respect, its bright, monochrome yellow colour is distinctly perceptible as a three dimensional material. On the other hand, gold is dematerialised by radiant light. The interplay of dimension, surface-formation and light, impart gold with a polychromatic appearance, created by a spectrum of light and different intensities of luminosity. I try to reflect these qualities in my work.’ MICHAEL BECKER
Brooch, 2007, Au 750 (gold), 45 x 45 mm
Necklace, 2014, Au 750 (gold), 1165 x 10 x 10 mm (two views)
Bracelet, 2012, Au 750 (gold), 170 x 10 x 4 mm
Necklace, 2012, Au 750 (gold), 520 x 15 mm
Brooch, 2008, Au 750 (gold), 44 x 44 mm
Necklace, Au 750 (gold), 460mm length
Studs, Au 750 (gold), 9- x 9 mm
MOVEMENT & COLOUR
LAPIS LAZULI ‘A number of years ago, I searched for intensely colourful stones and minerals that are found in nature. During my search, I came across the Afghan lapis lazuli, a stone which, before the invention of synthetic pigments, provided the most marvellous blue for painting. I became captivated not only by the colour, but also by the surface, the “stone quality” of these blue rocks. It was at this point that I began to look for deeply colourful raw stones with an interesting, “speaking” surface: a surface which would serve as a miniature of the great forms of nature and natural phenomena. MICHAEL BECKER
Left: Michael Becker in carefully cutting lapis in his studio.
Necklace, 2013, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 800 x 11 mm
Brooch, 2013, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 50 x 42 mm (3 views)
Ring, 2014, square, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 15 x 15 mm
Ring, 2014, rough cut rectangular, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 21 x 17 mm
Brooch, 2013, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 35 x 28 mm
Ring, 2012, oval, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 22 x 15 mm
Brooch, 2014, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 65 x 45 mm
Brooch, 2014, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 90 x 30 mm
Earrings, 2013, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 86 x 13 mm
Studs, 2008, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 12.5 x 12.5 mm
Bracelet, 2013, Lapis Lazuli, Au 750 (gold), 178 x 9 mm (two views)
UVAROVITE I work with a green Russian garnet (Uvarovite). I grind and polish the stones into thin tiles whose surfaces are covered with small green garnet crystals. The naturally shaped crystalline surfaces all feature a monochrome color. MICHAEL BECKER
Necklace, 2012, Uvarovite, Au 750 (gold), 462 x 9 x 6 mm
Ring, 2013, Au 750 (gold), Uvarovite, 22 x 15 x 5 mm
Studs, 2010, Uvarovite, Au750 (gold), 7.5 x 7.5 mm
Brooch, 2013, Au 750 (gold), Uvarovite, 35 x 20 mm
Brooch, 2013, Au 750 (gold), Uvarovite, 40 x 40 mm
Ring, 2013, Au 750 (gold), Uvarovite, 20 x 10 mm
RED PIGMENT Since a bright, opaque red does not exist as a mineral, I use a synthetic pigment for this color. After the treatment, its surface is matte and resembles that of a stone both in the effects of the color and in stability. If applied in a thick layer, its stone-like character is amplified. A thin layer, in contrast, appears like a painted surface. In my work, I make use of both techniques. MICHAEL BECKER
Brooch, 2013, Red Pigment, Au 750 (gold), 55 x 31 mm
Necklace, 2013, Red pigment, Au 750 (gold), 460 x 7 x 6 mm
Bracelet, 2014, Red Pigment, Au 750 (gold), 192 x 8 x 8 mm
Ring, 2014, rectangular, red pigment, Au 750 (gold), 21.5 x 16 mm
Michael Becker (b.1958) Education 1982 - 1987 Teaching 1993 - 1995
Fachhochschule Cologne, Prof P. Skubic, Germany Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany Metalsculpting, Professor Ullrich Hellmann
Selected Awards 1988, 1994 Herbert Hoffmann Award, Internationale Handwerksmesse Munich 1996 Danner Award, -Neue Sammlung, Munich 1997 1. Prize: Necklaces „In neuer Reihung“, Goldschmiedehaus, Hanau; 1997 2002 Bavarian State Award, Internationale Handwerksmesse Munich SELECTED Public Collections Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Montreal Deutsches Klingenmuseum, Solingen Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, New York Pinakothek der Moderne; Danner Kollektion, München
Right: Michael Becker in his studio, Munich, 2014