From 22 to 26 September 2026, the exhibition “Shared Grounds” at Klein Space in Lisbon will showcase works by 18 Austrian jewellery artists from different generations. The exhibition forms part of the 3rd Lisbon Jewellery Biennial, which this year is entitled ‘Coexistences / Coexistências’ and will take place from 19 to 27 September at various venues across Lisbon.
“Shared Grounds” focuses on an Austrian jewellery tradition that has repeatedly distinguished itself through its willingness to challenge conventions and embrace innovation. From the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte to artists such as Peter Skubic, jewellery has been understood as an independent form of artistic expression that deliberately defies traditional notions of material, value and function. Skubic helped shape the idea of understanding jewellery as a ‘discipline of the mind’.
The exhibition builds on this tradition and brings it into the present day. The 18 works on display demonstrate how closely tradition and rebellion, craftsmanship and concept, personal experience and social issues can be intertwined. Jewellery is understood not merely as a decorative object, but as a medium capable of addressing questions of identity, the body, society, politics and the environment.
Six of the participating artists have particularly close ties to the Gemstones and Jewellery Campus at Trier University of Applied Sciences: Nikolaus F. Egger, Iris Hummer, Stephie Morawetz, Ulrich Reithofer and Miriam Strake are graduates. Stina Bross was an exchange student at the campus. Their participation also highlights the international networks and long-term exchange that characterise the campus and its graduates.
The exhibition brings together different generations and artistic perspectives, thereby showcasing the diversity of contemporary Austrian jewellery art. Themes such as feminism, gender, inclusion and environmental issues are explored through a playful and experimental engagement with art history, design, industry and pop culture. What the works have in common is a willingness to conceive of jewellery as an independent artistic language and to continually re-explore its boundaries.
“Shared Grounds” was curated by Iris Hummer, who, together with Stephie Morawetz, will also be giving a performative talk on the history of Austrian jewellery design on 25 September. In the atmosphere of a typical Austrian coffee house, they will trace more than 100 years of jewellery history and juxtapose historical works with contemporary artistic pieces. Afterwards, Iris Hummer will lead a guided tour of the exhibition.
The following artists are exhibiting in “Shared Grounds”: Stina Bross, Nikolaus F. Egger, Benedikt Fischer & Rudy de Gruijl, Ursula Guttmann, Susanne Hammer, Iris Hummer, Noah Layr, Gerti Machacek, Stephie Morawetz, Manfred Nisslmüller, Konstanze Prechtl, Ulrich Reithofer, Deborah Schultheis, Peter Skubic, Miriam Strake, Eva Tesarik and Petra Zimmermann
Programme
Exhibition
22–26 September 2026, daily 4–7 pm
Klein Space, Rua Anchieta 5, 1200-032 Lisbon, Portugal
Soft opening
22 September 2026, 4 pm
Exhibition opening with refreshments, presentation of the exhibition catalogue and brief artist talks.
Cocktail & DJ Line
24 September 2026, from 5 pm
Aperitif and welcome with Ambassador Ulrike Ritzinger, followed by music from DJ CVLT from 8 pm.
Talk & Tour
25 September 2026, 6–7 pm
A performative talk by Iris Hummer and Stephie Morawetz on the history of Austrian jewellery, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition with Iris Hummer.
Closing event
26 September 2026, 4 pm
The exhibition is being presented as part of the 3rd Lisbon Jewellery Biennial and is supported by the Austrian Embassy in Lisbon. Further information about the exhibition can be found on the group's Instagram account.
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