The first time Ra Gallery presented jewellery by Karl Fritsch, at the KunstRai 1995, people pricked their ears. Were the artist and Ra taking the public for a ride with these odd makings, assembled from bits of old jewellery and wax-cast shapeless shapes? Karl Fritsch has a personal take on jewellery. The communicative properties of his jewellery are recognised both by regular jewellery-connaisseurs and relative outsiders. His work is unorthodox, original and has a playful sense of humour. In no time, it was received with enthusiasm and appreciation. Karl’s following exhibitions in Ra, in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2015, were titled Refreshing Jewellery, Pleasantly Suspect, Long Live the Ring and No Research. By now Karl Fritsch had gained world-wide recognition as a talented jewellery maker. He made some spectacular books on his work, and lives in New Zealand with Lisa Walker and their children. The basis for his newest work is the New Zealand tradition of carving and sculpting stone. In his own words: ‘Shaping rock is pretty primal and it is very exciting to be able to shape them.’ It adds a powerful chapter to an already impressive oeuvre.