Press Release
‘Amber – The Baltic Jewel’
27th May – 26th June 2015
This May the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the UK presents Amber – The
Baltic Jewel at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell, a free exhibition exploring the
importance of amber through contemporary jewellery, textile, macro-photography
and an art installation of its pre-historic inhabitant – the ant. As part of the cultural
programme of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it
showcases works by six contemporary Latvian jewellers, the textile artist Iveta
Vecenane, macro-photographer Andris Zegners and renowned designer duo
Mareunrols from 27th May to 26th June 2015.
Amber, formed organically from fossilised pine resin, has been prized as a precious
stone for thousands of years. It has shaped the rich culture and history of Latvia
being exported from the Baltic as a valued component in jewellery and barter in
Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece and the Roman Empire. This showcase explores
how amber is still a valued component in jewellery through pieces by a selection of
Latvian contemporary jewellery artists, which include Andris Launders, Guntis
Lauders and Māris Auniņš. Their work demonstrates how amber has in recent years
emerged from of the shadows of other precious stones.
A series of extreme close up photographs by Andris Zegners further reveals the
visual properties and structure of pieces of amber, which are unique in colour, shape
and texture. The exhibition highlights how these properties are slowly being
transformed through new technologies. Riga Technical University scientist Dr. Inga
Ļašenko is the creator of an exciting new medium: amber thread. Its full potential is
still being explored, but it has already proven to have medicinal properties and has
been used to create beautiful textiles as demonstrated through the exhibited work of
Iveta Vecenane.
“We’re delighted to tell the story of amber and celebrate the Latvian Presidency of
the Council of the European Union through a showcase of exceptional jewellery
pieces, photography, art installations and innovative use of amber thread by Latvian
craftspeople and artists. We hope that others will appreciate the importance of this
beautiful sun-stone and gem-like resin.” Ivonna Poplanska, Curator of Amber – The
Baltic Jewel
On Friday 12th June, Dr Mara Kalnins, the author of The Ancient Amber Routes:
Travel from Riga to Byzantium and Fellow of the Corpus Christi College at the
University of Cambridge, will be giving a talk from 1pm to 2pm (£5 plus booking fee)
on the cultural history of the ancient amber routes and the artefacts that tell its story,
from amber beads found in the Old Kingdom of Egypt to the 18th century ‘Amber
Room’ of Peter the Great.
Press Office Contacts:
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia
Irena Hamiltone, 020 7563 1614
[email protected]
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
Isabel Keim, 020 7566 7658
[email protected]
Notes to editors
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for the
functioning of the Council of the European Union, the upper house of the EU
legislature. It rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. The
presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national
government. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the President of the European
Union. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the Council, determine its
agendas, set a work programme and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and
with other EU institutions. The current presidency (as of January 2015) is held
by Latvia. The Presidency also creates a platform and an opportunity to showcase
Latvian culture through events and exhibitions throughout the countries of European
Union during this period.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre is the leading charity for the professional training of
goldsmiths. Founded by The Goldsmiths’ Company in 2007, it is a charitable
enterprise with a specific purpose: “To advance, maintain and develop art, craft,
design and artisan skills, including in particular but without limitation, those pertaining
to goldsmithing”. It does this by



Providing managed workspace, education and training for public benefit
Fostering promoting and extending public interest in art, craft, design and artisan
skills
Providing a knowledge base and community for those engaged or interested in
these skills.
For further information on The Goldsmiths’ Centre and its activities, visit
www.goldsmiths-centre.org