The Munich-born artist designs tableware and other items made of silver and tombac. His designs are not only highly functional - for instance, his vases and bowls - but at the same they are also stunningly beautiful on a highly abstract level, each transcending function to become an object of meditation and contemplation of complete inner peace. His designs radiate an inimitable sensuality, clarity and perfection. The silversmith has succeeded in liberating his "spatial bodies" from the space surrounding them: an Ott design incorporates the space around it by means of its extravagant shape. Take, for example, the vases pictured below. The square-shaped vase sculpture with a square hole in the middle (below right) illustrates just how the artist integrates space and at the same time penetrates it.

Vase, silver

Jug, silver with an ebony lid, Vase, bronzed tombac

Vase, silver

Helge Ott interprets elementary basic shapes, like the square or the sphere, in a highly distinctive way, always remaining true to his motto that "less is more". "This enhances the sensually perceivable quality of the object," says the artist. For several years now he has devoted himself to exploring the topic "Square" and all its variations. Perfection is his aim. Ott, who was awarded the Bavarian State Prize in 1991, will take several weeks to work out ideas, honing them until he feels they are sufficiently mature. The artist and silversmith, who is recognised by the Munich Academy of the Arts, then spends a few more weeks actually making his design. To his mind, the perfect shape is vibrant and energetic as well as deeply sensual. His creations embrace the duality of tranquillity and movement, they are simultaneously closed and open, heavy and light. Every object Ott creates is reduced to its essential components. For the perfectionist, true art lies in leaving out everything that is superfluous.

Silver tea set on an ebony tray

Set of bowls (5 bowls): silver, brass (tombac) gold-plated, bronzed, blackened

Espresso pot, tombac, silver-plated interior, ebony

All Helge Ott's object are hand-chased, mounted and brazed. The motivation for his designs is to reveal the "processual essence", which is how Ott describes the evolution of a design, from the initial idea over many steps through to the finished piece. He believes that his designs trigger a unique response from each viewer, and is delighted when "the counterpart of the immanent expressiveness of his object" is an enthusiastic purchaser.

Ott's latest series of designs are a highly structured range of gold and silver rings set with uncut diamonds. His main aim in this collection is to highlight the "contrast between the basic square shape of the rings with the organic finish of the gold surface and the shimmer of the uncut diamond, which almost seems to be breaking through the surface of the ring." Another key factor is the three-dimensional, sculptural effect of these rings. Each piece of jewellery changes, depending on the perspective it is viewed from. The lucky wearer gets an eye-catching piece of jewellery and a sensual tactile experience all in one.

Silver ring with gold surface and uncut diamond

Silver rings with gold surface and uncut diamonds