I create flamboyant, sculptural and wearable pieces that combine ambivalent aspects of appeal and repulsion. Jewellery that attracts attention, pieces that catch the eye and demand self-confidence and conviction to wear, thus challenging the boundaries of what constitutes jewellery.

My work unsettles the borderline between beautiful and ugly in order to tease the perception of the beholder and to evoke reactions. I find it exciting and thrilling to trigger curiosity and challenge viewers to engage and discover, while simultaneously leaving space for individual interpretation. I believe that provoking this playful inquisitiveness is of value to us because it stimulates and originates distinct conditions, which in turn allow for experiences that we would not be exposed to otherwise.

The aesthetic qualities of my ambiguous jewellery are based on an organic form-vocabulary and the introduction of innovative materials and techniques, which I combine and contrast with my traditional goldsmithing skills. An open approach and material-based research, spontaneity and the dynamics that come from intuitive working processes enable me to develop a range of elements, which are then combined to create the compositions of my vibrant work. 

Katharina Moch, 1980, Germany.

Education:
2008–2009 Master of Arts (with Distinction) Jewellery, Silversmithing and Related Products, Birmingham City University, Institute of Art and Design
2002–2008 Master of Education (with Distincition), English and Art Staatliches Seminar für Didaktik und Lehrerbildung (RS), Freiburg 

Self-employment as an artist:
Since 2002 Creation of one-off pieces

Apprenticeship:
1999–2002 Goldsmithing Studio Markus Probst, Blumberg | Professional school, Pforzheim

Exhibitions and Prizes:
2012 Cominelli Foundation Award Exhibition, Fondazione Cominelli, Cisano di San Felice del Benaco (I) | Renaissance des Emaillierens, Galerie Handwerk, München (D) | “SCHMUCK 2012” Schmuckereignisse während der IHM 2012, Galerie im Raum, München (D)
2011 All Golds, School of Jewellery, Birmingham | The European Triennal for contemporary jewellery , Grande Halle des Anciens Abattoirs de Mons, Mons | Mediterraneo – International Competition of Contemporary Jewelry. Museum of Natural History of the Mediterranean, Livorno, Italy.| “In der Südsee” - Friends of Carlotta Schmuck- und Förderpreis 2011, Friends of Carlotta, Zurich | Schmuck 2011 – Jewellery in Munich: Exhibition at the studio K 162, Munich.
2010 Forming Ideas – Language and Craft, Birmingham City University, Institute of Art and Design | Eunique – arts and crafts, Trade Fair Ground, Karlsruhe | SCHMUCK 2010 - Jewellery in Munich: Exhibition at the Studio K162, Munich | Talente 2010 - Special show of the International Trade Fair in Munich, Trade Fair Ground, Munich
2009 European Prize for Applied Arts Exhibition. Organised by World Crafts Council,Anciens Abattoirs, Mons, Belgium | Commendation of the jury of the European Prize of Applied Arts and Exhibition at the Anciens Abattoirs, Mons, Belgium | Taking Time: Badge Project, Exhibition at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Curated by Elizabeth Turrell and Helen Carnac | “Life is a bench” MA show at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham | Autumn Leaves Installation, Collaboration Project of the MA group at the Sting of Passion Symposium Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester | British Jewellers’ Association Stonesetting Award | Lifelines Installation Project at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham
2002 Awarded 1st place chamber of crafts, Konstanz, Germany

Bursaries:
2009 Louisa Anne Ryland Scholarship | Travel Scholarship
2008 Arts and Humanities Research Council | Study scholarship | Leonardo da Vinci Programme, Study scholarship 

2011 Mediterraneo, Exhibition catalogue, p. 19, Media Print S.r.l., Livorno | Art Aurea, Angewandte Kunst, Schmuck und Design, page 15, Reinhold Ludwig, Ulm, Germany
2010 Talente 2010, Exhibition Catalgue, Catalogue Contribution, page 86, GHM, Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH, München, Germany | Art Aurea, Angewandte Kunst, Schmuck und Design, Reference, page 83, Reinhold Ludwig, Ulm, Germany
2009 Life’s a bench, MA Jewellery, Silversmithing and related Products exhibition, catalogue contribution. Birmingham, 2009; ISBN 978-1-904839-35-4 | Exhibition catalogue, European Prize of Applied Arts, Catalogue contribution Belgium, 2009; ISBN 978-2-87536-000-7 

Friends of Carlotta, Zurich (CH)
Elefant Art Space, online gallery