'Knitting Grandmother' is the literal translation of the Hebrew name for a cat's cradle game. Esther chose this title for an exhibition of her latest work because of her fascination with this game, both as image and metaphor. Memories and associations are a recurring motive and inspiration for her work. She searches for archetypes, recognisable symbols. Mostly optimistic, sometimes melancholic or with political connections.

The jewellery Esther Knobel has made over the last twenty-five years presents a parade of images, from figurative to abstract: shells, folding chairs, bowman, cars, sandals, fruits and flowers. The rose-pin of 1993 has become her signature piece! Recently, she returned to a technique she used as a student: enamelling.

The prospect of fusing enamel and metal, glazing form, reinventing the rules and confronting her unarticulated language. It is research and a process that has to be done. The why is not important. For me it's the solutions that are intriguing.


Paul Derrez

back