Max Gielis

Silversmith

©Stanislas Huaux

In the name of silver

Max develops his own designs as well as the ideas of other designers
His works have been exhibited in museums across Europe
He says that one third of his job is to be a problem solver

Max Gielis trained as a silversmith and jeweller at St. Lucas School of Arts in Antwerp. For over ten years he developed a strong traditional background working in the studio of one of his professors, who was also one of the best restorers of silver and jewellery in Belgium. At the same time, Max opened his own workshop where he focused on creating his own contemporary jewellery and silverware, cultivating a personal and unique style. Silver is his preferred metal, but he likes the challenge of working with many different materials, like wood and glass, collaborating with specialised artisans. “I also like to use aluminium, steel, pewter,” he says.

Interview

©Stanislas Huaux

©Stanislas Huaux

Do you prefer your own projects or commissions?: Actually, I like everything. What motivates me is the process of getting into a rat hole and slowly finding the solution. At the same time, it’s really gratifying to develop your own ideas. But sometimes one doesn’t have enough time to do everything.
Do you consider yourself more of an artist or an artisan?: I think it’s not so obvious to separate the two. As an artisan, a very important part of my work lies in the process, and you can’t get a good result if you are not really skilled in the technique. You can ask someone else to do it, but in that case you must be capable of communicating your ideas perfectly.
What inspires you in particularly?: I often get my inspirations out of the convergence of different activities: I am a silversmith but I also do restoration, design, fine art and teaching, and they all affect one another. Every process undergoes quite a lot of rethinking, and it can take up to two years before each detail finds its purpose.
What have been your most unusual collaborations?: The first was an elephant, which trod on one of the dishes I created for my final collection in St. Lucas. More recently for my work Consumed Love, I worked with the mining staff of the army: one of the silver roses was exploded with gunpowder from within and the other from without.

Max Gielis is a master artisan: he began his career in 1999 and he started teaching in 2004