Through a studied use of clean lines and an unwavering commitment to a minimalist aesthetic, Karen Konzuk has developed a renowned modern line of handcrafted concrete jewellery for the contemporary design lover.
Her jewellery is artfully constructed from the meaningful use of industrial materials. “I find my inspiration in architecture and from the material itself that I choose to work with.” Karen’s original inspiration for using concrete in jewellery was a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Montreal where she was struck by the beauty of a wall that was concrete and lined with stainless steel.
A resident of Garden Bay, BC, Karen is continually influenced by her surroundings. “Being able to live and work on the Sunshine Coast influences my creativity as I am constantly surrounded by an ever-changing landscape. The beautiful blue days of summer are equally inspiring as the grey landscape of winter.” When COVID-19 hit, it affected Karen’s shop as much as it did other artists and entrepreneurs, so she decided to add to her product line. In addition to her jewellery practice, Karen has added household designs that are functional yet works of art as well. “I am finding with the pandemic that people are more interested in beautifying their homes as they continue to isolate and work from home. I am planning to introduce quite a few new designs in the HouseHold collection as a result.”
Karen reflects on the impact of receiving the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design in 2020. “It was a very exciting moment for me to hear I was recognized for my work, especially knowing this group of awardees was recognized for innovation. I feel this is a key element to my design that helps me to stand out from my competition.” She also feels it is important to acknowledge artistic excellence in applied art and design. “The world of art and design is extremely saturated and at times, it is hard to stand out. With social media and everything being digital there are a lot of copycats. To be recognized for the dedication we put into original design, attention to detail, and innovation brings us to the forefront and gives credibility to the work we have achieved.”
In addition to the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art and Design, Karen has garnered international attention including being invited in 2019 to develop an official jewellery collection by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation on Wright’s works. Karen Konzuk’s concrete jewellery, objects and wearable architecture is sold locally in BC in several locations: the Vancouver Art Gallery, Provide, the Polygon Art Gallery, the Audain Art Museum, and on her website, www.konzukshop.com
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