A conversation with William Harper at NYC Jewelry Week 2025

Les Enluminures is honored to host a solo exhibition of William Harper's artworks – "precious grotesqueries" he calls them. Practicing since the mid-1960s, Wiliam Harper (b. 1944) has an extensive œuvre that defies simple definition. His objects combine the precious with the utilitarian, the natural with the industrial world, the medieval era with modern times. They display a deep personal immersion in art history, yet they are by no means dryly academic or remotely historicizing. They are vivid fantasies, adventures into hidden realms, autobiographical reveries, homages to artistic heroes. Like the grotesques in the margins of medieval manuscripts they are often strange and mysterious, yet comic and pleasing.

Join us for a unique opportunity to hear William Harper discuss his unique œuvre amongst his recent creations in his latest solo exhibition: Precious Grotesqueries: The Jewels of William Harper.

Wiliam Harper (b. 1944) creates high-end jewelry, one-of-a-kind pieces, which are avant-garde in design. He has an extensive corpus that combines the precious with the utilitarian, the natural with the industrial world, the medieval era with modern times. They display a deep personal immersion in art history, yet they are by no means dryly academic or remotely historicizing. Vibrant colors are ubiquitous, as he is a supremely talented enameller. Numerous group and solo exhibitions, as well as countless awards and prizes, attest to the esteem with which William Harper’s work is now held. Signature pieces can be found in major museums in North America and abroad, including the Met, LACMA, the MFA in Boston, Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cooper Hewitt Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Schmuckmuseum in Pforzheim, the Vatican Museum, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, and many others.

Director of Les Enluminures, New York

Each November, NYC Jewelry Week proudly presents ‘The Week,’ a 7-day celebration dedicated to the art of jewelry. This annual festival invites a global audience to explore the world of jewelry through a dynamic mix of in-person and virtual experiences, spanning New York City and beyond. Our hybrid program features virtual programs streamed on YouTube alongside immersive on-site activities.

In-person, NYC Jewelry Week brings together leading figures in the jewelry industry to curate extraordinary experiences, including exhibitions, exclusive shopping opportunities, and retail collaborations. Attendees can also participate in insightful panel discussions that explore trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. Each event creates memorable jewelry moments that celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of the industry.

Committed to inclusivity, many of our programs are free and open to the public. NYC Jewelry Week seeks to reshape how people view jewelry by inviting everyone to appreciate the artistry behind the scenes. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of jewelry and experience the beauty and innovation that define our community.

We look forward to welcoming you to NYCJW25!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

LES ENLUMINURES, 23 East 73rd Street, New York, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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