Etsuko Sonobe

"My approach to jewelry making is to reduce each element to its minimum, purposely stripped of ornamentation.  My intention is to capture the essence in a simple form.  As architect Mies van der Rohe stated, “Less is more.”  I believe a pure form can evoke essential meanings.

I prefer matt finished gold because of its pure color and visual quality.  Properly functioning mechanisms are another important aspect in my work.  I enjoy fabricating mechanisms that work well without disturbing the aesthetic of the finished piece." - Etsuko Sonobe
The elegant and spare work of Etsuko Sonobe imbues simplicity and order.  Her highly linear and geometric forms enhance the beauty of her semi-precious stone constructions.

Etsuko was the recipient of the Diamonds International Award in 1983, and has participated in numerous exhibitions including a 1983 exhibit in the Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim, a 1984 exhibit at the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, Japan, and an exhibition in 1990 at the Musee des decoratifs in Paris.