JUNK: rubbish to gold

The idea was simple. Collect over 600kg of old, broken, discarded JUNK jewellery and transform it into a series of amazing new pieces of art.

The result was the 'JUNK: rubbish to gold' performance. A highly successful event which saw 30 artists – including students, recent graduates and lecturers – creating 200 items over the course of the week.

Thank you!
The project would not have been possible without your support

JUNK: rubbish to gold supporters

Viewers from over 45 countries around the world tuned in to watch the live stream of the event which is still available to watch on YouTube.

What happened to the pieces?

Over 70 of the items sold via an online auction at Crafthaus. This was a closed bid auction. This meant that it is up to the individual bidder to determine how much they felt an object was worth and bid appropriately rather than us predetermining its value. View the full gallery of final pieces.

What happens next?

The JUNK team are now working towards an online issu publication of the project as well as an exhibition of the project in Munich at the end of February for Munich Jewellery Week.

Professor Jivan Astfalck, Course Director for our MA in Jewellery, Silversmithing and Related Products, said: "Our artists created 200 pieces out of the initial pile of 600kg of 'rubbish' jewellery that was donated. The transformation was nothing short of amazing."

More about the theory behind the project can be found on the rubbishtogold website.