V&A Academy, Gold: A History – guest speaker Ute Decker: online course

1 May - 5 June 2025
Overview
This 6-week online course will look at the fascinating history of gold, and explore its sociocultural relevance as emblem of wealth, power, and allure across centuries and around the globe.

 From ancient treasures to contemporary jewellery, global trade networks to innovations in craftsmanship, we’ll delve into how gold as a material has shaped economies, cultures, and an extraordinary variety of artistic expression.

 

Guided by V&A jewellery and metalwork curators, leading metalworkers, and world-class experts, each session invites you to engage with the richness of V&A’s collections and with gold artifacts of global significance.

 

Weekly guest speakers, including jewellers Emefa Cole and Ute Decker, historians Professor Peter Oakley, Beatriz Chadour-Sampson and Alice Minter as well as Dr Gregory Valerio MBE, Dr Kirstin Kennedy, Curator of Metalwork, 1450 – 1900, V&A, Dr James Robinson, Keeper of the Decorative Arts & Sculpture Department, V&A, Didier and Martine Haspeslagh, Jewellery Collectors and Dealers  and Becky Knott, Curator of Modern & Contemporary Metalwork, V&A  will provide unique insights.

 

6 weeks, Thursday 1st May – Thursday 5th June 2025

10.30–13.00

Course Leader: Clementine Loustric

 

@ute_decker_studio

@vamuseum

@emefacolejewellery

@beatrizsampson

@didierltd

@artistjewel

 

Book this course

 

Press release

Available to download

 

click "download Press Release" to download:

 

  • Biography
  • Artist statement
  •  Responsible sourcing / environmentally friendly approach
  • Why did you wish to become an artist-jeweller?
  •  Hi-Res Press Images