US · International contemporary art platformThe Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) is hosting an exhibition titled 'Going Underground: The Jewels of Bernhard Schobinger,' which opened on September 3, 2026, and will remain on view until January 3, 2027. This show features the distinctive jewelry creations of Bernhard Schobinger, known for his innovative use of scavenged and unconventional materials.
Schobinger’s pieces incorporate a variety of unexpected elements, including fishing lures sourced from Lake Zurich and chunks of asphalt taken from a New York City street. These materials contribute to the artist’s unique approach, which challenges traditional notions of jewelry as an elitist luxury.
Drawing inspiration from diverse movements such as Concrete Art, Dada, and the Situationists, as well as influences from Japanese culture and punk aesthetics, Schobinger’s work disrupts conventional jewelry design. His rebellious style transforms discarded and everyday objects into wearable art, blurring the lines between art, craft, and social commentary.
The exhibition is part of a broader selection of museum shows across the United States this fall, highlighting innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art. Visitors to MFAH can explore Schobinger’s idiosyncratic creations that question material value and artistic boundaries.
By presenting this exhibition, MFAH offers audiences an opportunity to engage with jewelry as a form of artistic expression that defies traditional luxury and embraces a more inclusive, experimental approach. 'Going Underground' invites viewers to reconsider the materials and meanings behind adornment in contemporary art.
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