AJF Blog

In response to the opening of the Milwaukee Art Museum show called The Tool at Hand I asked a group of jewelers to talk about their preferred tool. I was wondering if anyone would choose not to take the question so literally – and here is a more philosophical reaction from contemporary jewelry’s master alchemist Ruudt Peters.

Between Head and Belly

It is a very old-fashioned romantic, nineteenth century idea to describe the tool. At first I didn’t feel the need to react to this question. But upon further consideration I would like to explain why the description of tools is nonsensical. As an artist and jewelry maker my hands are faster than my mind. My hands produce the fight/dialogue between my head and belly, rationality and emotion. From this continuous interaction the work arises. Increasingly the work investigates different techniques and/or material questions. The artist translates his inner philosophy and motivation for the work with a freedom of form and technique. My tools are my brain and intestines, which I have worked with my entire life. All other tools are an extension of my personal action.

Ruudt Peters is a jewellery artist who lives in the Netherlands. He is professor at Alchimia Contemporary jewellery school Florence Italy. www.ruudtpeters.nl