2021 Catalogue Archive

Blobs are at the heart of Peter Bauhuis’s artistic language. At a glance, the amorphous elements comprising Blob Chain are ambiguous, possibly solid, or perhaps filled with air or some kind of liquid that might give way when prodded with a finger, like otherworldly life forms.  When handled or worn, the necklace is remarkably lightweight. The back side reveals that these blobs are hollow metal shapes supported by intricate framing structures cast into the silver. This structure combined with the blobs’ subtly detailed surface texture showcases Bauhuis’s distinct casting technique.  Bauhuis has perfected his process by incorporating—not removing— the cracks and other flaws that result from casting melted metal. Born in Germany, Bauhuis studied as a goldsmith at Staatliche Zeichenakademie, Hanau and the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He has exhibited around the world and won many awards including the grand prize at the 17^th Silver Triennial in Hanau in 2013. Numerous prestigious museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia boast his pieces in their permanent collections.