Spoons and all they inspire
- Antje's work gives voice to simple forms in metal
- She feels great joy when her hands, tools and materials are in harmony
- Her works' aesthetics must be experienced directly
Antje Dienstbir has built her creative practice around the spoon. Her passion was ignited by professor Rudolf Bott, who introduced her to the ancient process in which the spoon’s form is shaped by hand, hammering a silver rod. "This everyday household object has been my source of inspiration for 25 years, both technically and artistically. With each creation, I give new meaning to its simple concave form, which continues to fascinate and intrigue me," Antje says. In recent years, however, her focus has shifted to larger volumes – vessels. Using traditional metalworking techniques and tools, Antje creates 3D objects from copper sheets, constantly reminding viewers of fundamental formal artistic values. It is her profound respect for the material and pursuit of simple forms that feel close and recognisable to her clients.
Interview
- How did you discover metalwork?
- Back in Bremen, I studied at a school that focused on artistic design. This was the beginning of my creative and craft journey. Soon, the path led me to goldsmithing and studies in jewellery and vessel design. I specialised in forging silver spoons as objects, and for the past four years I have devoted myself to vessels.
- How does your creative process unfold?
- In my workshop, I am surrounded by materials, tools and objects I have created. This alone already sparks the creative process. The formal development of my work runs like a red thread from one object to the next. Smaller or larger changes in form lead to groups or families of objects. For my spoons, their shapes are sometimes dictated by thoughts of their use.
- What is your relationship with tradition and innovation?
- Neither tradition nor innovation has any active influence on my work. The objects I create are not particularly innovative, but if I need to come up with a new method to bring my idea to life, I would do it. In my spoons and dishes, I see a language of forms that everyone is familiar with.
- What are your artistic values?
- Respect for the material has always been and remains extraordinarily important to me. I strive to reveal the aesthetic potential of the material without artificially overburdening it. It is essential to me that the aesthetics of my work are experienced organically and directly.
Antje Dienstbir is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1993
Where
Antje Dienstbir
