Benedikt Fischer
(Austria, 1984)
Winner Françoise van den Bosch Award 2026
Benedikt Fischer is a jewellery maker, educator, and artist based in the Netherlands. His practice explores the interplay between nature and culture, a theme deeply rooted in his upbringing on a farm on the Austrian countryside. Moving to the city, he carried with him a profound appreciation for craftsmanship, a value that together with a deliberately slowed-down creative process, is central to his interdisciplinary work. Equally significant is his collaboration (since 2020) with philosopher and painter Rudy de Gruijl, affiliated with the Outsider Art Gallery in Amsterdam.
Fischer’s work is included in the collections of major institutions, including MAK Vienna, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Auckland Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Victoria. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as the Mari Funaki Award, the Eligius Jewellery Prize, and the Marzee Graduate Prize.
The jury of the 2026 Françoise van den Bosch Award:
Noon Passama
Melanie Isverding
Edu Tarín
Olaf Tønnesland Hodne
Astrid Ubbink & Jeannette Jansen – board Françoise van den Bosch Foundation (moderation)
“Benedikt Fischer stands out for his ability to explore and challenge the boundaries of jewellery art without losing sight of the core values of the discipline. His work is characterized by a profound reflection on materiality, technique, and concept, redefining traditional approaches and opening new perspectives. The jury particularly appreciates his ability to reuse and transform existing materials and techniques in surprising ways, resulting in work that is both visually and conceptually powerful. A notable aspect of Fischer’s practice is his long-term collaboration with artist and philosopher Rudy de Gruijl.”
Read the full jury report here