Elements – Scotland’s only festival celebrating the very best in gold, silver and jewellery – begins tomorrow, bringing a weekend of unparalleled sparkle to Edinburgh.
It will feature a spectacular exhibition of award-winning work from the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) Competition – being showcased in Scotland for the first time.
There will also be workshops and expert talks.
But the highlight for many will be a selling fair where visitors can meet close to 50 superb makers from all across Scotland and the rest of the UK who will be showing wonderful designer gold, silver and jewellery of every kind.
The jewellery includes highly contemporary designs for all– there will also be a wide range of tableware and decorative work.
Among those taking part will be:
- Karlin Anderson, whose work reflects the rugged landscape and rich, distinctive culture of Shetland – the islands she has always called home.
- Ellys May Woods, based in Glasgow, who creates pieces inspired by Scotland’s urban landscape, from huge structures such as the Queensferry Crossing to overlooked brickwork patterns found within Glasgow’s quirky streets.
- Misun Won, based in Edinburgh, who makes jewellery inspired by Korean traditional wrapping cloth “Jogakbo”.
Elements, now in its eighth year, runs from 28-30 October and is organised by The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust in partnership with Lyon & Turnbull fine art auctioneers.
Ebba Goring, The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust CEO, said: “Elements is the only event of its kind in Scotland – a great chance to see the very finest gold, silver and jewellery made by some of the most outstanding and creative designers from every part of the UK.
“If you appreciate excellence in design, then you will love our sellers’ fair and our exhibition. And with Christmas around the corner it’s the ideal opportunity to find gifts that will be cherished for decades to come.
The spectacular exhibition of GC&DC Award-winning features work by the UK’s most renowned designers and craftspeople. Those on show include winners of the Jacques Cartier Memorial Award – the GC&DC’s highest accolade.
Among them will be (pictures show Maeve Gillies with some of these):
- Lynne MacLachlan-Eastwood’s Quiver Necklace.
- Theresa Nguyen’s Meadow Centrepiece which has an ethereal quality, with each element moving independently, responding with wind-like movements to the vibration of footsteps going by, as if it were alive.
- William Sullivan’s pair of water jugs, Louise Sorrell’s Four Seasons Vase and Sonia Cheadle’s Spinning Pearl Ring.
A special cabinet will be dedicated to the achievements of Dorothy Hogg, former head of jewellery and silversmithing at Edinburgh College of Art, who was awarded the GC&DC Lifetime Achievement award in 2010.
The London-based Goldsmiths’ Company has a significant number of her pieces, and describes her as “an unsurpassed craftswoman”.
Among Dorothy’s pieces will be the Zig Zag Dispersal Necklace, a bell-like neckpiece that could be heard tinkling as she crossed the Presentation Room at Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE for services to silversmithing and jewellery in 2001.
Dorothy, who died this year, was a long-time valued supporter of Elements Festival, and co-curated one of its previous exhibitions. Maeve Gillies, internationally celebrated Scottish jewellery designer, said: “As a trustee of The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council and The Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust, I’m thrilled to support GC&DC’s first ever exhibition in Scotland, at Elements 2022.
“The selection and calibre of these award-winning works are world class, bringing together exciting works of outstanding excellence by designers and craftspeople at the very top level of professional achievement, as well as showcasing their stories and creation process.
“I greatly look forward to seeing the GC&DC show within the Elements community, and am confident these wonderful artworks will surprise, delight and inspire all who see them.”
Other events and workshops taking place as part of Elements are:
- Perspex & Silver Pendant Workshop, with Barbara Spence
- Saturday Evening Talks, with Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council
- Make Do & Mend Brooch Workshop, with Simone Nolden
- Make Your Own Christmas Decoration, with Lindsay Forbes.
Elements takes place in Lyon & Turnbull’s historic HQ in Edinburgh’s Broughton Place. See https://elementsfestival.co.uk for full details.
Picture by Neil Hanna.
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Notes for editors
- Twitter: @scotgoldsmiths @lyonandturnbull
- Instagram: @scottishgoldsmithstrust @lyonandturnbull
- Facebook: @scottishgoldsmithstrust @lyonandturnbull
- Hashtag: #elementsedinburgh #scottishgoldsmithstrust #lyonandturnbull
- Website: www.elementsfestival.co.uk
About the Elements 2022 partners
- The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) was founded by The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh in 2000.
- The SGT has a dynamic programme of opportunities, exhibitions and educational resources.
- The SGT curates the Millennium Silver Collection, Silver of the Stars and the historical archives of The Incorporation.
- It aims to promote and support the education, art and craft of Scotland’s gold and silversmithing heritage and trade.
- In recent years, their work has expanded with the creation of the Ethical Making Programme to support the adoption of responsible and sustainable practices in Jewellery and Silversmithing.
- Established in Edinburgh in 1826, Lyon & Turnbull are Scotland’s oldest firm of auctioneers. In recent years Lyon & Turnbull has become one of the fastest growing independent auction houses in the UK. They have achieved this through innovative marketing, flexibility and dedication to personal service delivered by a team of specialists. It has offices and representatives throughout the U.K. in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- Together with Samuel T. Freeman & Co, Philadelphia’s leading appraisers and auctioneers, they make a powerful transatlantic force in today’s auction world. Both Freeman’s and Lyon & Turnbull are now becoming identified on an international stage, setting world record prices for Scottish paintings and Asian works of art, along with outstanding results in other areas, such as jewellery, silver, furniture, ceramics, books and decorative arts. See http://www.lyonandturnbull.com
About GC&DC
The GC&DC annual awards encourage, stimulate and promote excellence across the industry, embracing every aspect of design, craft and technology activity being practiced nationwide.
The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC), is a flagship organisation founded by the Goldsmiths’ Company to champion excellence in the UK jewellery and silverware industry. The annual nationwide GC&DC competition – culminating in a significant and exciting Awards ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London – is also known as the UK Jewellery & Silver ‘Oscars’. The Awards promote and reward the finest UK craft, creativity, design and innovation across all career stages. By sharing best practice and raising standards alongside leading Industry Patrons, top awards are headed by The Goldsmiths’ Company and Cartier, and judged by leading Industry experts, recognising ultimate and exceptional craft and design achievement.
GC&DC is delighted to partner with the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust for Elements 22 for the Council’s inaugural exhibition in Scotland. A stunning selection of world class award-winning craft and design from internationally renowned designers and makers will be on show, highlighting the remarkable and inspiring stories behind their craft, including works that have received the Councils highest accolades.
At the heart of the exhibition will be a display of drawings and jewels on loan from The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection to celebrate the vision, skill and extraordinary legacy of the late Dorothy Hogg MBE, past Professor of Silversmithing & Jewellery at Edinburgh College of Art, and winner of GC&DC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Council is indebted to The Goldsmiths’ Company for their generous help and support in bringing this beautiful collection back to Scotland to share with the Elements community.
For information about the SGT or Elements contact Eda Obermanns on 0131 322 3868 or [email protected]. For media information contact Matthew Shelley at SFPR on 07786704299 or [email protected].
The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust, Goldsmiths’ Hall, 24 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RH. The trust is a Registered Scottish Charity no. SC028384