Joop Falke

Joop Falke
Joop Falke
Born	Johannes Josephus Maria Falke (1933-03-23) 23 March 1933 Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Died	3 October 2016 Oss, The Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Education	French Zwollo jr
Known for	Goldsmith, Jeweler, and sculptor
Movement	Abstract
Patron(s)	Oss and other Local Government Institutions

Joop Falke (1933–2016), born in Dordrecht on 23 March, died in Oss 3 October; was a Dutch artist and goldsmith.

Life and work

Joop Falke was a brother of the artist / graphic designer Heinz Falke. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Applied Arts in Arnhem (1955–1958), where he was taught by, among others, goldsmith and jewellery designer French Zwollo jr.

Falke developed his own signature: a no frills, simple, austere approach to ordinary beauty. After his education he settled in Oss. He made jewellery from precious metals, liturgical vessels, Eucharistic work for churches, sculptures, and statues of various materials. He was active 1958 – 2015. He created many works of art under the Dutch "1% rule" (for the new construction of government buildings 1% of the sale price has been set aside to 'dress' the building with art).

His studio / shop was located in the Houtstraat, in the centre of Oss. Falke was for 25 years a lecturer at the Free Academy in Oss. He taught silver and goldsmithing techniques, and jewellery. He was awarded in 2013 with the Osje of Merit, the official award of the municipality of Oss, as a token of appreciation and gratitude for his work as a goldsmith / artist. He was a member of the AKKV and the Brabant Foundation for the Visual Arts.

In January 2016, Joop Falke was exhibited at the Politics café "Salt" at the Groene Engel in Oss. He died later that year, at the age of 83.

Statements by Joop Falke

• "Even sobriety can be costly. To give simplicity stylish shape, is an art. I have always wanted to show people the beauty of simplicity '
• "There is a difference between artistry and craft, but I do not believe that my profession is undervalued in general through art '
• "What I did was always meant for someone. My jewelry has always been the carrier of the character of the person who wears it"

Photo gallery

Jewelry

• 
  Pendant in silver, with shell
• 
  Pendant, in gold
• 
  Ring in gold, with diamonds and lapis lazuli
• 
  Pendant and ring, in gold en with tiger
• 
  Broach, in gold
• 
  Hanger, in silver (with lapis lazuli)
• 
  Necklace in silver, with piano key

Eucharistic objects

• 
  Tabernakel. Etched brass plate. 1968
• 
  Chalice. 1960
• 
  Monstrance, partly gilded silver with pearls and amethysts, 1963
• 
  Silverware. 1997
• 
  Angel JF
• 
  Font Cover. Red copper. 1961
• 
  Tabernacle. Brass, enamel, rose quartz and burned amethysts, 1959

Sculptures

• 
  Bird
• 
  Wall Ornament 'Skater' Oss. Iron, lacquered. 1969
• 
  Abstract
• 
  'Conversation'
• 
  Wedding' image in polyester, the GGD in Oss, 1978
• 
  Sea Lion, with former LOM school 'De Terp' in Oss, 1979
• 
  Wall Ornament "Koentje" Pius X school Oss. 1962
• 
  Picture taken at the former Edith Stein High school in Oss, 1970
• 
  Chairs
• 
  Sail JF
• 
  Bronze fountain 1978
• 
  Cock 1979
• 
  Rabobank 2001
• 
  Water fowl 1963

Bibliography

• Kinderen Falke, i.s.m. Joop Falke: Joop Falke, edelsmid. Bloemlezing, 2014. Uitgegeven in eigen beheer (oplage 170 stuks).
• ARTindex Noord-Brabant

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