Harreite Estel Berman cutting on black plastic 2021. Photo Credit Aryn Shelander.
Harriete Estel Berman in the studio 2009. Photo Credit: Aryn Shelander.
Harriete Estel Berman uses post consumer, recycled materials to construct jewelry, Judaica to sculpture with social commentary. Berman's art work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. Her work has been acquired for the permanent collections of 16 museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Detroit Institute of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Jewelry uses post-consumer recycled materials to reflect the values of our consumer society.
Judaica by Harriete Estel Berman focuses on the concept of Tikkun Olam "repair the world" with the use of post-consumer recycled tin cans.
Sculptures include domestic appliances remarking on the roles of women, the influence of advertising and commentary about our consumer society. Environmental commentary issues include the impact of lawns, and plastic waste in our oceans. Social commentary includes sculptures about our K-12 educational system.
Click here for complete CV (PDF) 14 pages
Harriete Estel Berman in the studio 2010. Photo Credit Aryn Shelander.
Harriete with family 2012
Jewelry artist Harriete Estel Berman segment from the JEWELRY episode on PBS
The JEWELRY program produced by Craft In America for PBS can be found on the Craft In America website and on the PBS webstie.
Lecture “Crafting Value & Identity”
Listen to this YouTube “lecturette by Harriete” Estel Berman about my work. Berman pushes the boundaries of jewelry making by using found and recycled materials to address social issues. She states, “I use the humblest of materials taken from the waste stream of our society to examine the values of our society.” Berman is featured in the JEWELRY episode of Craft in America’s PBS documentary series.
I regularly have been giving Zoom Lectures. The best way to find out about future lectures is to follow me on Instagram or subscribe to ASK Harriete. I am on Facebook too, but am almost past my limit.
Harriete in JEWELRY on PBS television
In June of 2021, a 6-person video crew came to my studio to videotape for a JEWELRY episode on PBS You can read all about these two days of videotaping on my blog, ASK Harriete. Look below for links to the streaming videos.
"They Whispered Names to Me - I am a channel"
Soft Lighting, Sharp Focus, Reflective Questions
A Gigantic Wish Come True - Craft In America Visits My Studio
Perspiration in Preparation & Planning for "Craft In America"
An Optivisor for A Crown - Two Vans Arrive with the Craft In American Video Team
Craft In America JEWELRY - 1 minute preview
Craft In America exhibition of JEWELRY & Harmony
Bracelet shown here made especially for the exhibition and shown in the JEWELRY PBS show. Bracelet titled, “Feeling Like a Star.”
Exhibition dates: December 11, 2021 - March 19, 2022
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 12-5p.m.
Location: 8415 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Check out this recent feature article in Ornament Magazine
"Recycling, Consumption, Truth - Harriete Estel Berman" is the title of the article about my jewelry in Ornament Magazine. Read this thoughtful article by Glen R. Brown.
This is a recent issue. It can be purchased directly from the Ornament Magazine website. Click on the images to view a preview version of the article,
There are eight pages of images and text including an Artist Showcase. Click here to view a scanned compressed article PDF for your convenience.
ZOOM Programs Online
“Civil Rights and Body Politic” with Harriete Estel Berman, and Joyce Scott moderated by Cindi Strauss
Cindi Strauss, Curator of Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design at MFA Houston moderated this conversation that focused on the chapter “Civil Rights and Body Politics” from the historical jewelry book In Flux: American Jewelry and the Counterculture. Click on the title above to watch on YouTube.
This online Zoom conversation was co-sponsored by the Museum of Art and Design in New York City and Art Jewelry Forum.
This book was published December 2020.
Ornament Magazine & Craft Optimism Panel Discussion
Ornament Magazine and Craft Optimism Artist Webinar
This Craft Optimism panel was brought together by the Smithsonian Women's Committee and Ornament Magazine. We discuss recycled and repurposed materials in craft and jewelry, examine the issue of climate change for craftspeople, discuss the natural confluence of sustainability and craft. Watch this conversation from April 2021 with me, Harriete Estel Berman, Amy Flynn, Wayne Nez Gaussoin, and Holly Anne Mitchell. The panel was orchestrated by Twig Murry from the Smithsonian Women's Committee and moderated by Patrick Benesh-liu of Ornament Magazine.
Exhibitions & Speaking Engagements - Upcoming, Current and Recent Exhibitions
Interested in seeing my artwork in person? Want to come to an opening or lecture?
Check out this page on my website dedicated to Upcoming, Current and Recent exhibitions.
Holy Sparks: Celebrating 50 Years of Women in the Rabbinate
Exhibition at the Dr. Bernard Heller Museum in New York runs through May 8, 2022
“The Holy Sparks art exhibition illuminates the creativity, commitment, and vision of 24 women who were “firsts” in their time. Their challenges and contributions, struggles and successes, represent the achievements of all the 839 women rabbinical graduates of HUC-JIR in North America and Israel to date – and the nearly 1,500 women rabbis of all movements who have transformed Jewish tradition, worship, spirituality, scholarship, education, and pastoral care.”
Organized in partnership with the Braid, the exhibition is traveling the United States
Future venues: January 16-June 5, 2023
Goodman Family Museum, Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, MI
June 5-December 15, 2023:
Margolis Gallery, Congregation Beth Israel, Houston TX
They Whisper Names to Me, I am a Channel - kitchen window menorah
Craft In America will be hosting an exhibition with jewelry and artwork by the people featured in the PBS episode JEWELRY.
Location: Craft In America
841 W. Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Date: December 11 - March 19, 2002
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00 noon - 5p.m.
45 Stories in Jewelry: 1947 to Now
Exhibition at Museum of Art and Design, New York City runs through Apr 10, 2022
I am honored to have one of my bracelets in the catalog and exhibition 45 Stories in Jewelry: 1947 to Now.
“This exhibition highlights the Museum of Arts and Design’s contributions to the field’s advancements and contextualizes the bold experimental practices of its most compelling artists within the key historical moments that ultimately broadened the scope and reach of art as a wearable medium.”
If you are interested in art jewelry, definitely buy this book/catalog of the exhibition.
Atist Charlotte Kruk (center left) & Harriete Estel Berman (center right) at Richmond Art Center opening.
Harriete Estel Berman at the Minneapolis Institute of Art standing in front of her Seder plate Eons of Exodus. On display as part of their permanent collection.
Books with images or information about my artwork.
Harriete Estel Berman has her jewelry, sculpture and Judaica in over 46 books including a whole chapter in the book, Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects, Makers: A History of American Studio Craft and the cover of The Fine Art of The Tin Can.
Click here for the full list of books including Harriete Estel Berman's artwork Click here for Archive of books, articles, publications and videos.
Makers: A History of American Studio Craft includes my artwork in this ground breaking survey of 20th century studio craft.
Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects This books has a whole chapter about my art work.
The Fine Art of The Tin Can is now a collectible book. The 2nd edition included an image of my teacups on the cover of the book.
Modern Judaica includes 250 pages of images and text about contemporary Judaica.
Background Information
Permanent Collections
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN
Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH
The Jewish Museum, New York, NY
Jewish Museum, Berlin, Germany
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, TN
Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC
Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Yeshiva University Museum, New York, NY,
The Congregation Emanu-el, San Francisco, CA,
Artwork owned by a museum in the permanent collection is rarely on display. I have the great honor of having my Seder plate on view until 2035 at the Jewish Museum Berlin.
Visit My Studio
View current work in progress or make an appointment for a studio tour. Many of the artworks on this website include fabrication images in the studio.
Using my metalworking skills for my own business
I do all the silver repair and polishing myself with an eye for detail. It doesn't matter if it is silver plate or sterling silver, my goal is to do the best work possible.
Berman Fine Silvework silver repair and restoration is how I support myself.
Using my PUK-5 TIG welder, I can do silver repair and restoration in a completely new way. I plan on using this tool for my artwork as well.
Harriete polishing a silver candlelabra for her business Berman Fine Silverwork.
Harriete Estel erman working as a silversmith in 1983 at Peninsula Plating, Palo Alto, CA.
Secret Lifestyle
Hiking in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico was a memorable experience. It was a spiritual center for an ancient civilization. It is a World Heritage Site and Night Sky Preserve. Touring the architectural ruins was arduous, beastly hot, and dry. The mesa wall was possible to climb without climbing gear steeping over rocks and boulders in a steep crevice. You had to be in good shape and a little brave.
Political and social advocacy doesn't start or stop at artwork with social commentary. Here I am at the March for Science with my husband standing up to be counted. This sign ties into my recent artwork, TRUTH.
With the inauguration of president 45, I was appalled and disgusted. I worked constantly on this artwork Fabricating TRUTH about 45. It was featured on the local PBS station in San Franicisco and on CNN. Today, October 31, the House of Representatives voted to formalize the impeachment inquiry. I am so excited, I can’t think about anything else.
"Check It Out! Home Energy and Water Saving Toolkit" are available at City of San Mateo and San Mateo County Libraries. I came up with the title for this tool kit of energy saving tools. As a recycling evangelist since 1980, I drove my family nuts with ways to recycle, reuse, and repair.
This is what Harriete looks like October 2023! Custom made mohawk helmet made by my daughter @goaryn and @joshdecks for me about six years ago. It matches my new electric bike which you need for the gigantic hills around my house. Custom made earrings from a toy left at the street. Power necklace to match my bike holds the keys . Find me on Instagram.
I lead six exercise classes a week. Starting during the pandemic we moved outside for fresh air, clouds, open sky and invigorating workouts all year long.
For Halloween exercise classes 2019 I dressed up as a web with spider.
Harriete Estel Berman dressed up in 1982 as the appliance lady holding the Appliances Sculpture "Eating Out off a Refrigerator". This is available as a life size photo for the exhibition of my artwork.
