David Hensel

Biography

Bryanston School, Dorset.
Magdalene College, Cambridge University,
Bournemouth College of Art,
Brighton College of Art: Fine Art (painting and sculpture) BA (hons) 1969,

David Hensel's output covers many media, including sculpture in wood, stone and bronze, drawings and the jewellery for which he has been known internationally for over 30  years, in which he combines precious materials with a wide range of others, often carving semi-precious stones, wood or ivory to incorporate in pieces that then exist both as wearable jewels and pieces of personal sculpture. He employs a distinctive representational element in jewellery design, imagery of natural forms realised in natural materials.

His unique approach and inventiveness in jewellery design has been of considerable influence, and he has an international reputation, well represented in and major public and private collections. Recent work, drawing and sculpture, is largely figurative. He is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors.

Exhibitions and Events include:

Solo exhibitions:

    • London, Electrum Gallery 1977
    • Munich, Galerie Rutzmoser 1978,1981, 1992
    • South East Arts, 1996

Group shows,

  • London:
    • Goldsmiths' Hall,
    • V&A Museum,
    • Crafts Council,
    • Electrum,
    • Bentley & Skinner (Bond St),
    • Charles de Temple,
    • Royal Festival Hall
  • UK:
    • London,
    • Edinburgh,
    • Glasgow,
    • Manchester,
    • Touring shows.
  • International:
    • Los Angeles,
    • New York,
    • Stockholm,
    • Paris,
    • Mainz,
    • Munich,
    • Darmstadt

Several TV appearances.

Millennium exhibitions which included his work were:

  • "Decadence" - Crafts Council
  • "Treasures of the 20th Century" - Goldsmiths' Hall

2003, 2006, 2007 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London

Since 1997, he has participated in international sculpture symposia in:

    • Belgium,
    • France,
    • Greece,
    • Italy and
    • Poland

Publications featuring his sculptural jewellery include:

  • "Twentieth Century Jewellery" Caroline Pullee, apple press 1990
  • "Twentieth Century British Jewellery 1900-1980" Peter Hinks, faber&faber 1983
  • "Jewellery Concepts and Technology" Oppi Untract, doubleday 1983

In addition to private collections the world over, his work is in the collections of:

  • The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Goldsmiths' Hall, London
  • The Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh
  • The Arts Council of England
  • The Koch Rings collection, Switzerland

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