Italia
Gold, enamel and niello are the materials favoured by the Paduan artist Graziano Visintin. He has followed the language of minimalism, making jewellery that is expressed through pure, geometrical forms. His latest works, although still geometrical, are more irregular than previous pieces, both in shape and in texture. The warm colour of gold is enhanced and embellished by hints of enamel or niello, creating three-dimensional effects. The pieces are simple and eradicate any form of elaborate decoration, acquiring a visual and physical quality of lightness. Visintin is one of the few contemporary jewellers who avails himself of traditional materials with ease. The artist utilizes an array of skills with excellence, where each and every detail of the gold surface is carefully treated to create a particular desired effect. It is here that the artist is seduced by the colours of enamel and the pictorial effects of niello that are applied to the surface of his pieces with expertise.
C.V.
Graziano Visintin was born in Italy in 1954. He studied at the Pietro Selvatico Art Institute of Padua where he has been teaching since 1976. He has also held various lectures and workshops in Universities around the world, such as the Royal College of Art in London and the École des Arts Décoratifs, Geneva. He has taken part in numerous solo and group exhibitions in public museums and private galleries all over the world. He has received the following prizes and awards for his works: 1973, "UNO A ERRE", Arezzo (I), 1983 International Jewellery Art Prize, 5th Tokyo Triennial, Tokyo (J), 1988, Herbert Hofmann Preis, Schmuckszene 88, München (D), 3 Preis "ART + DESIGN", Benson & Hedges Gold, Hamburg (D), 1990, Bayerischer Staatspreis, Goldmedaille, München (D), Honourable Mention "SIGNATUREN", Schwabisch Gmund (D). His works are part of many prestigious public and private collections, among which Die Neue Sammlung, Staatliches Museum für Angewangte Kunst, Design in der Pinakothek der Moderne, Dauerleihgabe der Danner-Stiftung, München (D), Hiko Mizuno College, Tokyo (J), Landesmuseum Joanneum, Graz (A), Musée des Arts Décoratifs - Palais du Louvre, Paris (F), Royal College of Art, London (GB), Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim (D).