The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Mineralogical & Geological Museum at Harvard (MGMH) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are delighted to announce Djeneba Aduayom as the inaugural winner of the JewelryArts 24 Prize (JA24). The artist receives a creative fund, an exhibition during Frieze London at Silo and support from Studio Nataal.
JA24 is an open-call digital arts competition examining how science and art can lead to more sustainable practices in the luxury jewellery and watch space. It stems from the State of the Art Summit in June 2023 at Harvard University, which highlighted the importance of inviting the next generation of storytellers to use art as a conduit for education and change. Announced in October 2023 with a dinner at W1 Curates and launched in April 2024, JA24 applicants of all ages and disciplines drew on data from the summit to create work addressing the social and environmental impact of the green energy transition and shaping a future where nature and jewellery live in harmony.
The expert judging panel included Carmen Busquets, entrepreneur; Carrie Scott, TV presenter; Elisabetta Cipriani, gallerist and curator of contemporary jewellery; Isabelle Bonjean, photographer; Melanie Grant, RJC executive director; Rachel Garrahan, curator at the V&A Museum; Raquel Alonso-Perez, curator at The MGMH; Studio Renn, jewellery artists; Susan Jacques, president and CEO of the GIA; Marie Gomis-Trezise and Helen Jennings, Nataal Media.
Djeneba Aduayom’s winning entry, ‘Atmospheric Perspective’, is a multi-technology artwork responding to global warming. Her poetic piece envisions an Earth scorched by rising temperatures and calls for viewers to protect our environment. This sits in conversation with ‘Earthen Adornments’, a series journeying through nature’s raw textures and hues, from red clays to sparkling minerals. These works serve as a metaphor for the resilience of our planet and the beautiful objects that can come from it through mindful jewellery practices.
Aduayom’s heritage spans Togo, France and Italy and the artist is based in Los Angeles. After a successful career as a dancer, she emerged as a photographer in 2011 and has since been recognised for her editorial portraiture, fashion and art practice. Her surreal images are marked by a sense of movement and remind us of the universality of the human experience. She has exhibited internationally and is represented by Galerie Gomis.
The JA24 exhibition at Silo will be an immersive, multi-screen installation that sets the stage for a series of encounters inviting guests to experience Aduayom’s work alongside exclusive food pairings from this zero-waste restaurant and a scent immersion by Within 51/49. A VIP meet the artist event takes place on 13 October 2024.
Melanie Grant, executive director RJC, says:
“I am thrilled to announce that during the judging process, the panel was unanimous in their decision. Djeneba’s work is a haunting visual feast that left an indelible mark on all of us – a true testament to the artistry and creativity that our industry fosters.”
Djeneba Aduayom says:
“In my creative practice I explore visual parallels of reality and fantasy. The work presented for JA24 calls for an end to our collective actions and inactions which are destroying the planet as well as an exploration of the intricate relationship between Earth’s raw materials and human artistry, emphasising the delicate balance required for sustainable creation.”
JA24 is open for public view from 9 to 12 October 2024 at Silo, First Floor, Unit 7 Queens Yard, White Post Lane, London, E9 5DN.
Meet the Artist – 2-5pm, 13 October 2024.
Download JA24 press assets here. DROPBOX
