Akis Goumas

When the past lives in the present

• Akis became a professional jewellery maker in 1986
• He works with archaeologists to reuse ancient Greek metal techniques
• His jewellery gives new life to discarded materials

Contrary to many other jewellery makers who renew or copy prototypes of the past, Akis Goumas believes that tradition is something vivid, the sum of elements that are not obvious, but define our identity and follow us through all time periods. His main concept is to use parts of silver or other metal objects which are not used anymore and are lying redundant inside a drawer. He hammers and shapes these discarded parts into new contemporary objects, in this way retaining the memory of older generations of craftsmen.

Interview

©All rights reserved

©All rights reserved

What was your starting point?

From the age of 13 or 14, I would create small objects for my friends made of cheap materials. Then in 1978 I was taught jewellery and metalwork by my first teacher. While researching for larger scale projects I learned to design and make useful objects using various materials.

What was your first official creation?

It must have been in 1984. What I recall from that period was my very first attempt to hammer-form a sheet of silver with the use of an anvil and turn it into the object I had in mind. The shape I wanted to form was the gesture of two connected palms when they wish to offer something.

How much has Greece influenced your work?

A big part of my education was within local archaeological and art museums, which established my current career path. My goal is to connect the knowledge acquired from my archaeological studies since 2008 with a contemporary perception of objects and jewellery.

What interests you most when you teach?

I have been teaching since 1995 and I take great interest in getting to know and teaching others. I am interested in teaching the technical part which is in the service of the creative part, so that the final work consists of its creator’s expression.

Akis Goumas is a master artisan: he began his career in 1986 and he started teaching in 1996

Works

©Akis Goumas

©Akis Goumas

©Akis Goumas

©Akis Goumas

Where

Experiences

Advanced jewellery making class in Athens

4 Hours

120 EUR per person