Campus for Design and Art, Gemstones and Jewellery, News

Adi Toch – New Artist in Residence in Idar-Oberstein

From late September to December 2026, the artist, goldsmith and lecturer Adi Toch will be in residence in Idar-Oberstein. As part of the joint artist-in-residence programme run by the Gemstone and Jewellery Campus at Trier University of Applied Sciences and the Jakob Bengel Foundation, she will be working on site for several months, exploring the history and potential of metal and stone as materials. On 19 November, Adi Toch will give a public talk offering insights into her artistic practice and her work.

The Trier University of Applied Sciences’ Gemstone and Jewellery Campus and the Jakob Bengel Foundation welcome Adi Toch as the new artist-in-residence in Idar-Oberstein. This joint residency program enables international artists to spend several months in the city renowned for its gemstone and jewellery heritage. The residency focuses on on-site artistic practice, exchange with students and faculty, and engagement with the unique material and historical context of Idar-Oberstein.

In her work, Adi Toch explores the sensory, historical, and cultural dimensions of metal. Her objects examine the intimate relationship between people and objects, engaging not only the sense of sight but also touch and hearing. The distinctive properties, the "language" of metal (its malleability, reflectivity, and sonic qualities) become central elements of her work. Toch combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary social and cultural themes.

Based in London, the artist exhibits her work regularly in the UK and internationally and teaches at the Royal College of Art in London. She was a finalist for the Loewe Craft Prize in 2017 and served on the prize’s international jury in 2019. Her work has garnered numerous accolades, including a Gold Award from the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council in the UK and the European Prize for Applied Arts in Belgium.

In 2021, Toch was commissioned by the Gilbert Trust for the Arts to create a response to the restitution of a historic gold vessel. This resulted in the work “Place to Place”, which is now on permanent display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Her work is also held in numerous significant public and private collections, including those of the Crafts Council, the Goldsmiths’ Company, the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge), National Museums Scotland, National Museum Wales, the Jewish Museum New York, and the Turnov Museum in the Czech Republic.

During her residency in Idar-Oberstein, Toch will take advantage of the opportunities offered by the location with its unique combination of jewelry, craftsmanship, materials, and industry, and integrate them into her existing artistic practice. Exchanges with the Gemstone and Jewellery Campus and the Jakob Bengel Foundation form an integral part of the residency.

Public Lecture on 19 November 2026
As part of her residency, Adi Toch will give a lecture on her work and artistic practice on November 19, 2026. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Further details regarding the time and venue will be announced in due course.

We look forward to welcoming Adi Toch to Idar-Oberstein and are excited to see the work and ideas that will emerge during her residency.

Here, you can find more info on Adi Toch, theArtist-in-Residence-Programmme and the Jakob Bengel Foundation.