C.V

Biography

Jessica Winchcombe is a contemporary jewellery designer, multidisciplinary artist, curator, and educator based in Queenstown, New Zealand. Working across jewellery, painting, and mixed media, her practice explores materiality, identity, privacy and the flow state.

Since graduating from Whitireia New Zealand in 2010, Jessica has developed an internationally recognised practice, exhibiting throughout New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands. Her work has been presented at Munich Jewellery Week, Milan Fashion Week, Collect Art Fair London, Radiant Pavilion Melbourne, and the landmark Wunderrūma exhibitions.

Alongside her studio practice, Jessica is the founder and director of Studio 42 Jewellery School and has become an active contributor to contemporary jewellery through teaching, mentoring, curatorial projects, and international collaborations.

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Education

2010
Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design (Jewellery)
Whitireia Polytechnic, Porirua, New Zealand

Awards & Recognition

2010
Fingers Graduate Award

2011
Marzee International Graduation Show Selection

2020
The Most Magical Experience Award, Airbnb Experiences – The Contemporary Jeweller

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2025
In the Flow Like Primo, JW Studio, Queenstown

2023
Lost in Translation, Munich Jewellery Week, Germany

2020

The Most Magical Experience Award, Airbnb Experiences – The Contemporary Jeweller

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2025
In the Flow Like Primo, JW Studio, Queenstown

2023
Lost in Translation, Munich Jewellery Week, Germany

2020
Hubba Bubba, Queenstown Contemporary, Queenstown

2017
Expand, The See Here, Wellington

2016
Curiosity Box, Bound, Queenstown

2015
Chapography, Visual Culture Gallery, Wellington

2013
Celebration / Commiseration, Angel Divine, Queenstown

2012
One of One, Thistle Hall Gallery, Wellington

The Most Magical Experience Award, Airbnb Experiences – The Contemporary Jeweller

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2025
In the Flow Like Primo, JW Studio, Queenstown

2023
Lost in Translation, Munich Jewellery Week, Germany

2020
Hubba Bubba, Queenstown Contemporary, Queenstown

2017
Expand, The See Here, Wellington

2016
Curiosity Box, Bound, Queenstown

2015
Chapography, Visual Culture Gallery, Wellington

2013
Celebration / Commiseration, Angel Divine, Queenstown

2012
One of One, Thistle Hall Gallery, Wellington

2011
Build, Jewellery Box Master Works, Auckland

Selected Group Exhibitions

2025
Collect Art Fair, London, United Kingdom
Frame, Munich Jewellery Week, Germany
Fingers Gallery Exhibition, Auckland

2024
Collect Art Fair, London, United Kingdom
Fingers 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Auckland
In the Dark, Studio 42, Queenstown

2023
Unloosed, Current Obsession, Munich Jewellery Week, Germany
Fingers Gallery Group Exhibition, Auckland
Pearl Jam, Studio 42, Queenstown

2022
Recollections May Vary, Starkwhite, Queenstown
Delimit, Wellington
Art in the Garden, Christchurch

2021
Chain Reaction, Handshake 10-Year Celebration, Nelson
From the Depths, Nelson Jewellery Week
Unloosed, Collaboration with Paul Green, Nelson Jewellery Week

2020
Strategic Disconnection, Queenstown Contemporary
Art Now, Queenstown Contemporary
Fingers Gallery Group Exhibition, Auckland

2019
Unloosed, Te Auaha Gallery, Wellington
Matariki Exhibition, Te Auaha Gallery, Wellington

2018
Public, Pātaka Art + Museum, Porirua
Jewel and the Jeweller, New Plymouth

2017
Artisan Jewels, Milan Fashion Week, Italy
Art in the Garden, Christchurch 

2016
Specials, Handshake Alumni Exhibition, Munich, Germany

2015
Wunderrūma, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland
Radiant Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
Honed, Sydney, Australia

2014
Wunderrūma, The Dowse Art Museum, Wellington
Wunderrūma, Das Handwerk, Munich, Germany
Cluster, Pātaka Art + Museum, Porirua

2013
Handshake Exhibition, Objectspace, Auckland
Handshake Exhibition, Munich, Germany

2012
Handshake Exhibition, Christchurch Art Gallery
Jemposium Exhibition, Wellington

2011
Marzee International Graduation Show, Nijmegen, Netherlands
The Secret Bloom, Berlin, Germany

Curatorial Projects

2025–2026
Co-Curator, Aotearoha Exchange
Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich Jewellery Week, Germany

2023
Curator, Jungle Gym Exhibition
Te Atamira, Queenstown

Residencies

2023
Jungle Gym Residency, Te Atamira, Queenstown

2021
Artist Residency, Queenstown Contemporary

Teaching & Leadership

2017–Present
Founder and Director, Studio 42 Jewellery School, Queenstown

2021

Guest Jewellery Tutor, Nelson Jewellery Week

2021
Guest Speaker, Wakatipu High School Cultural Graduation

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Publications & Media

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• Wunderrūma Publication

• Contemporary Jewellery in Context: A Handshake Blueprint

• Recollections May Vary – Essay by Kelly Carmichael

• Objects Beautiful Exhibition Catalogue

• Featured in Mindfood Magazine

• Featured in Black Magazine

• Featured on Design TV, Sydney

• Featured in Why Do We Fly? – Queenstown Airport Film