Julia Gorgol wins the “Bursztynowe Rzemiosło” competition

A student of the Jacek Malczewski State Secondary School of Fine Arts in Częstochowa received first prize for the work Queen of Gdańsk Gazes, created in the jewelry workshop under the guidance of Radosław Wójcik and Paweł Krzyszkowski.

Julia Gorgol’s work attracts attention not only as a piece of jewelry but also as a full-size form, somewhere between jewelry and costume.

Literally, metaphorically, ornamentally…

The mask, set on the face, becomes a symbol of the gaze through which we filter the image of the city. The silver construction unfolds into a rich, ornamental arrangement. The line of the metal gives it lightness and dynamism, creating an impression of organic growth, as if the form were developing naturally, from the center outward.

Baltic amber in the leading role

The central protagonist is Baltic amber. Julia Gorgol uses it both as a decorative accent in the form of cabochons and as a material that builds meaning. Vertical blocks of amber, shaped into the silhouettes of Gdańsk townhouses, create a miniature panorama of the city. The material ceases to be an ornament; it becomes a carrier of identity, light captured in the form of architecture.

A clear composition

The composition remains clear: mask – gaze – crown. Along this axis a story is built about the “queen,” a symbolic figure looking at Gdańsk. The pairing of the delicate silver structure with the intensity of amber creates a striking contrast of light and matter. Queen of Gdańsk Gazes is a precise piece that joins craftsmanship with storytelling.

The jewelry workshop at “Plastyk”

The work was created in the jewelry workshop of the Jacek Malczewski State Secondary School of Fine Arts in Częstochowa, which has modern facilities and is run by masters of goldsmithing and visual artists. Students develop here their skills in designing and making forms, in both traditional and contemporary techniques.

The workshop is an important element of education with a long tradition. Jewelry making has been taught here since the second half of the 20th century. The process involves working with diverse materials, from metals and stones to natural materials, including wood and amber, with an emphasis on individual creation and conscious use of technology.

The charm and energy of amber

The theme of this year’s edition of the competition was “The Charm and Energy of Amber in Jewelry.” The aim of the competition is to present the professional skills of goldsmiths and young goldsmithing apprentices specializing in traditional and modern goldsmithing techniques, to support vocational education in goldsmithing and encourage professional development, and to create original design made in line with individual needs. The competition promotes jewelry and goldsmithing products made using “Baltic gold,” amber.

Juniors and seniors

The competition is held in two age categories: juniors, young goldsmiths up to the age of 22 who are studying or starting work in the profession, and seniors, that is, people who work as goldsmiths or amber craftsmen and hold confirmed professional qualifications (a journeyman’s certificate or a master’s diploma).

The organizers of the 23rd edition of the National Competition of Goldsmiths and Jewelers “Bursztynowe Rzemiosło” named after Karol Kowalski are the Trade Commission of Goldsmiths and Jewelers of the Pomeranian Chamber of Crafts of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Gdańsk International Fair Co.

Patronage was granted by: the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the SME Ombudsman, the Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk, the Museum of Gdańsk, and the Union of Polish Crafts.

More information: www.pomorskaizba.pl/uroczysta-gala-23-edycji-ogolnopolskiego-konkursu-zlotnikow-i-jubilerow-bursztynowe-rzemioslo-im-karola-kowalskiego/

Photo: Pomeranian Chamber of Crafts of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

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