| Gary Noffke,
originally from Decatur, Illinois, lives in Farmington,
Georgia where he maintains a studio. He attended
Eastern Illinois University (B.S. 1965, M.S. 1966),
University of Iowa (1967) and Southern Illinois
University (M.F.A. 1969). He is the former professor
emeritus (2001) of the Lamar Dodd School of Art,
University of Georgia, Athens, where he was professor
and chairman of the metals area (1971-2001). In
2005 he was named as one of fifty distinguished
alumni in fifty years of graduate education by
Eastern Illinois University.
Complete
Interview |
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Mint Julep Cups, 1973 - 2000
Fine & sterling silver, 20K gold, seamed raised
From 3.25" – 4.875" x 2.5" –
3"
Photo by Luis Quiles, 2007
“The idea that craft
is important to the well being of our culture is important
to me.”
| Noffke does not
place too high an interest on mastery. Technique
can be learned except for those without the personality
to accomplish the task and put in the effort. To
master a craft does not make one a master. Innovation
and creativity must be a part of the endeavor. He
uses techniques that breaks sacred rules in the
metalsmithing craft and he feels that it is important
to know when to break the rules. Example—clean
soldering is the expected accomplishment but he
uses sloppy soldering to draw upon the surface or
to activate the surface of the piece. His forging
techniques push gold and silver alloys beyond their
native ability to hold form and where cracks and
holes are not usually tolerated, he intentionally
forces the material to break down in order to create
opportunity for repair. He then applies gold to
silver or even copper to gold to create color opportunities.
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