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JUDITH UITERLOO
ATELIER DORE
SURINAME
CARIBBEAN EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AGENCY - CREATE
01CREATIVEDESIGN -SILVERWHISPERERS
SILVER WHISPERERS
The journey for Judith Uiterloo did not commence with jewelry designer as the
intended final destination. A teacher for many years, Uiterloo would learn the
trade from husband Hendrick who inherited both the skill and a gold- and silver-
smithy from his father, internationally renowned jeweler Doremus Hendrick
Uiterloo.
Husband Hendrick, Hank, as she affectionately refers to him, would assume the role of chief designer and
professional goldsmith when his father became ill. Uiterloo would leave her job as teacher to support the
family business. Learning the trade herself, the novice would embark on a new career path and would take an
arduous voyage from teacher to student, to artist, to voice of inspiration.
Husband and wife team Judith and Hank comprise the whole managerial and employee team of Atelier
Dore in Suriname. The couple produced “traditional jewelry” at first, then both being inherently creative,
the designers started to branch off into new avenues. “In Suriname at that time gold was mostly used for
jewelry,” Uiterloo states, but admits that along with Hank she was attracted to working with silver. “Silver
can be manipulated more,” Uiterloo explains, “You can hammer, shape, mould silver differently.”
The introduction of a line of silver jewelry into the country that held a deeply rooted love for gold however
would at first be a struggle for the pair. “Clients would comment on how lovely the line was then would
inevitably add, ‘but it’s silver’,” with a deep chuckle Uiterloo notes, “and this was not a compliment.” It was
a matter of little concern to the former teacher, the designers remained consistent in concept, “as long as we
have fun and enjoy what we do, we are not concerned by what people think.”
Photos by Brian Lesly Photography
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