JewelryArts 24 Launches Frieze Week 2023

20th October, London: JewelryArts 24 Launches During Frieze Week 2023; The RJC, MGMH & GIA have come together again, fresh from the State of the Art Summit in June 2023 where they examined the future of responsible jewelry on campus at the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard University. One of the outcomes of that day was a call to involve more young people, storytelling and to educate the world more deeply with data, art and science about the importance of responsible practices within the jewelry industry and wider communities. 

To that end, we are launching a competition called JewelryArts24 calling on artists, students, industry, and creatives in general to create a piece of digital art using data from the summit, expanding the message from that day to a global audience. The winning artwork will be displayed during Frieze London in October 2024, a cash prize will be awarded, and Nataal Creative Studio will represent the winner commercially going forward.

Nataal is the leading multimedia brand and creative studio celebrating diverse storytelling from Africa, its diaspora, and the global creative community. Its award-winning magazine, digital platform and event series collaborates with emerging voices to create uplifting narratives driven by a spirit of collaboration. In 2024 Studio Nataal will expand to represent a select number of artists from its network who are shaping the future of radical creativity.

Open to everyone, this interactive media competition was announced at an intimate multi-sensory dinner on the 10th October 2023 in conjunction with W1 Curates and Nataal in London on the preview night of Frieze London 2023. Visual artists Sons of Craft showcased a short film on the night using images inspired by nature, RJC, MGMH and GIA to begin this new storytelling journey. Chefs William Stoyle and Ryan Walker from Zero-waste restaurant Silo provided a vegan menu dedicated to fire and fermentation, with drinks pairings by Stephen Muttley with a botany theme.

Stage two of the competition will see an expert panel of judges announced and the JewelryArt24 website launched to support submissions. The finalists will be announced on the anniversary of The State of the Art Summit – 23rd June 2024 and the winner will be exhibited during Frieze London 2024.

“I’m excited to continue our mission of action and innovation which began with The State of Art Jewelry Summit to unite art, science, education and industry in the service of responsible jewellery. The future of jewellery itself depends on a wider global audience asking for ethical practise.” Melanie Grant executive director RJC

“Raising awareness of the implications and opportunities towards a low carbon economy is an endeavor and a responsibility the jewellery industry must incorporate into its mission. With a clear purpose, little by little I truly believe the positive societal impact could be massive.” Raquel Alonso-Perez, Curatrix, MGMH.

“Drawing from the rich insights of the State of the Art Summit, JewelryArts 24 fosters a new way of sharing the message of responsible practices in jewelry. This competition leverages digital art as a roadmap and alternate medium to illustrate the path towards a more sustainable and conscientious future in the world of jewelry, advancing GIA’s important consumer protection mission and to educate and uphold industry standards,” Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO.