Rising jewellery designs and metalwork stars shine at the Goldsmiths’ Centre
The showcase, part of the London Design Festival, will celebrate the most exceptional craftsmanship in goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery design at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell, London from 12 September to 24 November 2014. It will unite those who have received awards and bursaries from the Goldsmiths’ Company and the best of young, up and coming designers working at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. It traces the journey from early training pieces to the masterpieces of highly skilled artists now successfully setting up their own businesses.
The Foundation Programme students 2013 - 2014 were recognised for their talent and hard work
Talented young people on the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Foundation Programme, Setting Out programme and its Business Start-Up Studios will be joining the winners of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s New Designers Awards 2014 – Clive Taylor, Karen Elizabeth Donovan and Kyosun Jung – in an exhibition of outstanding work. One of the highlights, to be unveiled for the first time, will be an 18ct gold pendant designed and crafted by Foundation Programme trainee Ben Hawkins, the winner of The Catherine Jones of Cambridge Golden Jubilee Competition.
Ben Hawkins was the winner of The Catherine Jones of Cambridge Golden Jubilee
18ct gold pendant designed and crafted by Foundation Programme trainee Ben Hawkins
Vanessa Burkitt, MD of Catherine Jones of Cambridge said: ‘We are delighted to have engaged with the Goldsmiths’ Centre, to organise a competition for young and emerging craftspeople on the Foundation programme, to mark our 50th anniversary – our Golden Jubilee - in the trade. The heritage of Catherine Jones of Cambridge support of talented, young designers goes back to my mother, Catherine herself, when, in the 1960s, she would buy metal for them to give them the freedom to create pieces with ‘more substance’. The judges were tremendously impressed by the ingenuity and design flare exhibited by all of the students of the Foundation programme, at such an early stage of their journey into the techniques, arts and crafts that go into creating a jewel. It will be a privilege and a thrill to see Ben’s thoughtful and illuminating design unveiled at SHINE for the public to see, for the first time.’
Ruth Moir, Events and Exhibitions Manager at The Goldsmiths’ Centre explains: ‘The Goldsmiths’ Centre fosters outstanding talent in the gold, silversmithing and the allied trades. Shine 2014 provides a unique platform to reveal to the public the exceptional pieces produced with the support of our staff, trainers and masters on the centre’s programmes and by the starter studios. We are also proud to celebrate the achievements of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s competition and bursaries winners.’
Shine 2014 to showcase work by resident silversmith Kyosun Jung
Shine 2014 to feature Silvia Weidenbach’s ‘Fractal Invention 2012: “Another White Night”
Jospeh Metcalfe's Degree Collection, Silver, 18ct yellow gold, Gilt - Etch © Shannon Tofts
Invited guests inspecting a showcase of work by the Foundation Programme students
The Foundation Programme students 2013 - 2014 learnt their skills from Master craftspeople
Shine 2014 at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, part of the London Design Festival, will also feature a series of films on the subject of jewellery and fashion tying in with the area’s first dedicated design and architectural film festival – AN’D Film Festival. Top jewellery designers Silvia Weidenbach and Smith/Grey, whose workshops are based at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, and will feature on film alongside iconic jewellery scenes from the Pink Panther and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Notes to Editors
About the Goldsmiths' Centre
The Goldsmiths’ Centre is the leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths. Founded by The Goldsmiths’ Company in 2007, it is a charitable enterprise with a specific purpose: “To advance, maintain and develop art, craft, design and artisan skills, including in particular but without limitation, those pertaining to goldsmithing”. It does this by
- Providing managed workspace, education and training for public benefit
- Fostering promoting and extending public interest in art, craft, design and artisan skills
- Providing a knowledge base and community for those engaged or interested in these skills.
For further information on The Goldsmiths’ Centre and its Foundation Programme, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org
About the Goldsmiths' Company
One of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London, The Goldsmiths’ Company received its first Royal Charter in 1327. The Company’s London Assay Office has been responsible since 1300 for testing the quality of precious metals. The Company is the principal patron of modern jewellers and silversmiths in the UK, continuing to play an important role in support of the craft, funding apprenticeships and assisting with the technical training of aspiring designer-makers. The Company supports a wide range of other charitable causes and pursues a number of educational projects with schools.
For more information, visit www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk