bio:

Elisabeth Drude is a German artist based in Vienna. After training as a goldsmith, she earned a master’s degree in art history and history from the University of Cologne in 1998, with a thesis dedicated to iron jewelry. She spent many years working in the jewelry industry in Italy before shifting her focus in 2017 to her own artistic practice in Vienna, which is characterized by a strongly conceptual approach. For Elisabeth Drude, jewelry is a medium for storytelling and for exploring the relationship between the wearer and the object. Her work has been featured at the 33rd Silver Festival in Legnica, the Israel Biennale (2022 and 2024), Budapest Jewellery Week, as well as in other international exhibitions and galleries.

statement:

In my series "Centered", I explore the interplay between presence and absence. Crafted frames made of blackened iron hold cut-out, colored plastic plates and together form striking and dominant structures. At the center of the pieces, an empty space remains – intentionally left open, not as a deficiency, but as an essential part of the composition. This absence stands in contrast to the strong materiality, yet it is an integral element of the design. Upon closer inspection, a connection emerges: the materials not only emphasize their own presence, but also render the absence visible. My aim is not to create a contrast, but a dialogue. Presence and absence work together – both are necessary to grasp the piece fully.