Ramona Solberg

Ramona Solberg (1921-2005) was a jeweler, who was born in Watertown, SD, but lived and taught in Seattle. She was a pioneer in the contemporary jewelry movement. Solberg rarely used precious metals, preferring found objects and incorporating ethnic elements she may have acquired from her extensive travels. She often used cast forged and fabricated metals and said of her work, “I don’t want my jewelry to go into deposit boxes. I want it worn to Safeway and to ball games.” She received an MFA from the University of Washington, where she taught for many years, and also taught at Central Washington University. Her work can be found in the collections of the Renwick Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Ramona Solberg, Courtesy of Sharon Dwinnell-Smith and Larry Metcalf
Ramona Solberg, Courtesy of Sharon Dwinnell-Smith and Larry Metcalf
Ramona Solberg, Coral and Electroformed Bead necklace, 1980. Courtesy of Nancy L. Worden, Rex Rystedt photograph
Ramona Solberg, Coral and Electroformed Bead necklace, 1980. Courtesy of Nancy L. Worden, Rex Rystedt photograph
Ramona Solberg, Pebble Pendant. Courtesy of Nancy L. Worden, Rex Rystedt photograph
Ramona Solberg, Pebble Pendant. Courtesy of Nancy L. Worden, Rex Rystedt photograph
Ramona Solberg, Necklace with Dominos, 1989. Robert Liu photograph
Ramona Solberg, Necklace with Dominos, 1989. Robert Liu photograph
Ramona Solberg, Tantric, 1972. Courtesy of Nancy L. Worden, Rex Rystedt photograph
Ramona Solberg, Tantric, 1972. Courtesy of Nancy L. Worden, Rex Rystedt photograph
Ramona Solberg, Necklace
Ramona Solberg, Necklace