Ute Eitzenhöfer’s work displays an egalitarian approach to materials and a desire to create jewellery that is not only adornment but also a medium for social comment. Her work questions accepted notions of perceived value, our relationship to the world of things and of nature, our perceptions of beauty and adornment and their position within society. She sees the poetic potential of plastic packaging and views precious stones not as sparkling symbols of wealth, luxury and extravagance but nature laid bare, unrefined rocks and slices that allow their essential nature to sing out.

Born in Bruchsal in Germany in 1969, Ute trained as a goldsmith and then studied jewellery at Hochschule Pforzheim. Since 2005, she has taught at Trier University of Applied Sciences in Idar-Oberstein. Her work is exhibited all over the world and is held in collections such as the Marzee Collection, Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, the Museum Angewandte für Kunst in Frankfurt, the Alice und Louis Koch Collection in the Swiss National Museum, the Danner Stiftung in Munich, and the Museum Turnove. Ute’s work is also displayed in the CODA Museum in Apeldoorn, the Jur and Thea van Lee-Ellis Collection, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the Rotasa Trust Collection in Mill Valley California, and the Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Deedie Potter Rose, in the USA. Ute was also awarded the Marzee Prize in 2000.