Akis Goumas

Akis Goumas is a Greek contemporary jeweller and a researcher of ancient goldsmithing techniques of the Aegean region. Working as a member of a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, scientists and conservators, Akis looks for the answers to complex technical questions, travelling into the minds of ancient artisans.
After receiving his diploma in economics, Akis trained as a goldsmith and silversmith. He then went on to study gemmology and seal engraving. Akis is currently a teacher of creative jewellery at the Chalkis Jewellery School, Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School of Florence, and the Anamma Contemporary Jewellery School in Athens.
His personal work is greatly influenced by his research; Akis was recently awarded a fellowship by Harvard University Center for Hellenic Studies, to investigate the paths that link his personal work and his research studies into ancient Greek crafting techniques.

Contrary to many other jewellery makers who renew or copy prototypes of the past, Akis Goumas believes that tradition is something vivid, the sum of elements that are not obvious, but define our identity and follow us through all time periods. His main concept is to use parts of silver or other metal objects which are not used anymore and are lying redundant inside a drawer. He hammers and shapes these discarded parts into new contemporary objects, in this way retaining the memory of older generations of craftsmen.

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