What first inspired you to get into jewellery making?
I first began to think about taking jewellery and silversmithing
as a subject at Edinburgh College of Art when I was studying a
foundation course at Leeds College of Art and Design. I was
initially interested in painting but I found that I enjoyed working
on small scale sculptural structures that could be placed on the
body.
The jewellery course at ECA encouraged drawing and painting as
an important part of developing jewellery designs, therefore I felt
I had the best of both worlds, which is reflected in my work at
present.
What is it about enamel in particular that enthuses you?
Initially, the range of colours that can be achieved by the
process of firing glass onto metal attracted me to the medium. As I
researched the material more thoroughly during my MA, I became
fascinated by its painterly qualities which satisfied my intention
of creating spontaneous ideas for jewellery.
I am also enthused by the textures and interesting surfaces that
can be achieved by playing with the temperature of the kiln, the
amount of enamel applied to a structure and unusual materials added
to the medium before firing.
I also love how enamel is a permanent material yet it can be
corroded by rusting the iron underneath the enamel, creating subtle
colour changes over time. This is part of my ongoing research at
the moment.
You talk about challenging people’s preconceptions about enamel
- what do you think these pre-conceived ideas are?
Enamel is most commonly associated with a glassy, shiny finish
which is applied to precious metals such as gold and silver. Enamel
was initially used over two thousand years ago to embellish a piece
of jewellery with colour and value as well as creating something
beautiful that portrayed the wearer’s wealth and status.
I believe that these ideas are still associated with enamel
today and this is one of the reasons why I felt it was necessary
and relevant in today's world of contemporary craft to challenge
enamel traditions.
Are there any artists you particular admire, and who inspire or
influence your work?
I am particularly inspired by Helen Carnac’s work. I love her
sense of spontaneity and immediacy captured within her enamel
panels. I love her experimental mixed media jewellery which she
exhibits as wall installations.
I am also inspired by fine artists such as Antoni Tapies. His
paintings in particular interest me because of his incorporation of
unusual textures, which are achieved by adding gritty materials to
his paints. I admire the work of Jamie Bennett also. I enjoy his
striking colour palette as well as the textural surfaces he creates
through electroforming.
Tell us about the collection you’re presenting in Meet Your
Maker.
The pieces I am exhibiting in Meet Your Maker are a collection
of sculptural rings, brooches and neckpieces as well as a group of
small and large scale enamel wall panels.
The wall panels represent my memories and observations from
walking through the city of Edinburgh. These are drawn with
improvised tools into industrial liquid enamel and are fired in a
kiln. Layers of drawings are built up and then abraded back to
reveal the markings underneath. These drawings are then recreated
in iron, steel and silver wire structures that hold textural enamel
elements. The enamel surfaces are matted and gritty, eliminating
enamel's traditional glassy lustrous quality. I want to achieve a
sense of urban decay which I witness on a day to day basis.
The brooches and rings are a series of experimental iron
structures coated in industrial liquid enamel. Some are ambiguous
structural forms incorporated directly into the body of the brooch
or ring. Others are enamel experiments that have been set with red
gold onto a cast silver brooch back. I use oxidised silver to
represent the industrial element of the city. Each piece is unique
and unpredictable.
What are your plans for the future?
At present I am undertaking an artist in residency at Edinburgh
College of Art, where I am currently making jewellery for galleries
and commissions. Alongside this I am researching the rusting
processes of iron and the effects it has on the permanence of
enamel. I plan to keep making and researching with an aim to help
to promote enamel as a contemporary and exciting medium for
jewellery.
What is your favourite piece of craft that you own?
My favourite piece of craft work is a pair of Hannah Lamb
earrings I was given as a present. I wear them all the time!