SCHMUCK is one of the most important and oldest contemporary jewelry exhibitions in the world, presented as part of the Munich International Handwerkmesse (Internationale Handwerkmesse) since 1959. Each edition is accompanied by a rich program of events in galleries and museums, transforming Munich into a vibrant center of global jewelry for several days.
Each year, over 700 artists from around the world submit their work to the exhibition, representing diverse approaches and aesthetics. Thanks to the changing curators, each edition acquires its own unique character, setting new trends in the development of jewelry art.
In 2025, Dr. Jurgita Ludavičienė, art historian and curator of the Lithuanian National Art Museum in Vilnius, selected works for the exhibition. From 789 submissions from 51 countries, she selected 62 artists from 29 countries. Her selection reflects the latest trends in jewelry art, as well as her personal research and preferences:
"In contemporary jewelry, I look for courage and life. Something that makes you take a deep breath, raise your eyebrows in amazement, look again, admire, and feel something. This isn't always clearly expressed in words; it strikes you in the solar plexus and takes your breath away. (...) Jewelry has always been close to magic."
– from the introduction to the exhibition catalogue
This year's selection is a mosaic of bold voices, surprising formal solutions, material experiments and personal narratives that inspire and provoke reflection.
SCHMUCK is not only a review of current trends but also a documentation of changes taking place in the world of jewelry. Each edition highlights the role of jewelry as an artistic, social, and political medium, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design and art.
The exhibition is organized by the Munich and Upper Bavaria Chamber of Crafts and the Danner Foundation, with support from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. Renowned curators and designers are responsible for the concept and design, and a catalogue documenting the works on display complements the exhibition.
We invite you to discover SCHMUCK – an exhibition that inspires, provokes, and allows us to consider jewelry as a unique form of contemporary art.
More information: https://schmuck-muenchen.org/
