MASTERCLASS
Helena Schepens
‘Opus Interrasile. Piercing techniques applied in silver.’
DIVA invites silversmith Helena Schepens for a four-day masterclass on piercing techniques applied in silver. From March 23 to March 26, eight candidates (professional silver- and goldsmiths, jewellery designers or ambitious students) can participate in this fascinating masterclass. Register quickly is the message!
About the masterclass
The Latin term Opus Interrasile is derived from the verb interradere, meaning “to scrape in between”, which describes the perforations made on a sheet of precious metal. This technique produces delicate, complex openwork designs that resemble lace and give gold- and silverwork a certain lightness and transparency.
Helena Schepens will share her knowledge on how to open-up a silver surface with a lively and vibrant pattern using different piercing techniques. In what manner a silver object becomes open and transparent, emphasizing the contrast between the removed and remaining material, will be covered in depth during the masterclass. To achieve a delicate result in this rather simple technique, great skill and care are required.
About Helena Schepens
Helena Schepens (°1981, BE – Antwerp) studied silversmithing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and at the Royal College of Art in London. Since 2007 she runs her own workshop in Antwerp, Belgium. Helena is an internationally renowned silversmith. She won the Rotary International Award for Silversmithing in 2004 and in 2006 the Goldsmith’s Company Award for Silversmithing and The New Designers Award. She became a finalist in the Loewe Craft Prize 2017 and was invited by the Loewe Foundation as a jury member in the 2018 edition.
She was selected for several international exhibitions such as the Loewe Crafts Prize (Madrid), the European Prize of Applied Arts (BeCraft), the 15th, 17th, and 19th Silver Triennial (Hanau) and Homo Faber (Venice). Helena designed the Henry van de Velde Awards from 2009 till 2013 and she participated in international art fairs such as Collect, Inhorgenta and PAN. Her work is frequently shown internationally.
For whom?
This masterclass is for professional silversmiths, makers, jewellery and crafts artists, as well as ambitious students who are interested in this technique. Participants are expected to have competent bench skills and an open and inquisitive attitude.
How to register?
Only 8 candidates can participate in the masterclass, so we would like to hear your motivation for participating in the masterclass. Registrations are open until Sunday the 1st of March 2020.
The museum will put together a team of experts to make a selection from the candidates. You will receive a reply before the 4th of March 2020.
Practical information
Languages: taught in English.
Participants: maximum 8 people.
Dates: Monday the 23rd of March – Thursday the 26th of March 2020
Time: 10am - 5pm (including one hour for lunch)
Price: €600 (excl. VAT) (including a daily lunch, one evening dinner, access to the museum and symposium on the 28th of March)
Venue: Studio DIVA, Kaasstraat 7, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
Materials and tools: most materials and tools will be provided. Participants can bring their own hand tools.
Questions?
For all further enquiries please email: tom.iriks@divaantwerp.be