We are pleased to share the final announcement of the Open Call for artists to participate in the upcoming Biennale of Contemporary Studio Jewelry at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum.
The Biennale, titled “Body Jewelry – Wearable Marks Across the Globe”, invites artists to present their contemporary artistic vision through a unique work, conceived and crafted entirely by themselves.
The exhibition is scheduled for Spring 2027 at the ILJ Museum’s premises and will be complemented by the ILJ Museum’s annual educational and cultural programs for audiences of all ages.
The ILJ Museum Biennale has become a leading platform for showcasing contemporary culture, continuously enriched by the participation of international artists. This year, submissions are expected to exceed all expectations, enriching the exhibition’s content and giving rise to a striking intercultural ensemble. Through the ILJ Museum’s initiatives, artistic creation is renewed and gains a dynamic presence in Greece, across the Mediterranean, and internationally, establishing contemporary studio jewelry as a field of intervention, dialogue, and meaningful social expression.
The featured works will be pieces of body jewelry of strong semiotic and cultural significance, designed and handcrafted entirely by the artists themselves in their own studios.
The 2027 Biennale also explores both ancient and contemporary practices of body adornment, from prehistoric jewelry to modern forms of decoration found in communities and cultures across different continents. The body is marked, adorned, protected, and transformed into a vehicle of meaning, reflecting symbolisms, rituals, and traditions.
As the only Biennale of Contemporary Studio Jewelry in Greece, the event has firmly established itself as a significant cultural institution, exploring distinctive themes that shed light on artistic concerns and engage with contemporary social issues. At the same time, it offers a dynamic stage for visual artists to present their work. Since 1995, it has brought together more than 1,200 participations from 38 countries across all five continents.
Throughout its 30+ years of operation, the ILJ Museum has continued its mission without interruption, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the art of jewelry and the decorative arts. As an international educational center, it serves the wider community by supporting education and research, championing contemporary design, and fostering creativity and innovation in artistic practice.
For further information, application forms, and to schedule an online meeting, please contact the ILJM Curator, Byron Vafeiadis, at +30 210 92 21 044 or by email at educational@lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr.
Key Deadlines:
Application of Interest: 30 July 2026
Final Proposal Submission: 30 August 2026