Goldsmiths' Company Awards at New Designers 2011
05 July 2011
New Designers 2011 is the annual showcase of work from Britain’s leading graduate designers, representing the best in contemporary design.
As well as presenting the two awards the Goldsmiths’ Company also sponsored the Jewellery and Precious Metalwork Zone at New Designers for the eighth consecutive year and had a stand in the centre of the zone offering students information on technology assistance and hallmarking requirements.
Peter Taylor, Director Technology and Training, said: “We are delighted with our continued association with New Designers. It is a vital showcase for emerging British designers and the Goldsmiths' Company strongly believes that without the continued encouragement and development of creative talent the future of the craft in the UK will be in jeopardy. ”
The two Goldsmiths’ Company awards were granted for excellence – one for jewellery and one for silver. The criterion for both the awards is to identify excellence in design and craftsmanship. The winning pieces have to show superlative design, originality and sales potential.
Judging the awards were Lorna Watson, Creative Director of Astley Clarke, jewellery industry professional and silversmith Mary Ann Simmons together with Peter Taylor Director Technology and Training the Goldsmiths’ Company.
This year’s winner of the Goldsmiths’ Company Jewellery Award is Filipa Oliveira. A National Skills Competition Gold medallist in her native Portugal, Filipa has just graduated with a first class honours degree in Jewellery and Metal Design from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee. The Goldsmiths’ Company Jewellery Award is another accolade.
Lorna Watson said: “Filipa’s work explores the traditional technique of filigree combined with contemporary forms and surface finishes. The result is a refreshingly modern signature that has tremendous appeal and scope for further development.” Filipa makes most of her jewellery in silver which is sometimes oxidised or gold plated. She is constantly experimenting with traditional techniques and creates pieces which she feels “encompass the soul of the past and the present.”
Silversmith Bryony Jackson, who studied metalwork and jewellery at Buckingham New University, was selected for the Goldsmiths’ Award for silver. Bryony’s passion is to translate traditional silver pieces into ones that are suitable for the modern household and appeal to a contemporary audience. Her current collection is inspired by ceremonial silver of the City of London, which is both functional and decorative. Her striking pair of candlesticks was made from silver-plated sheet metal, which she cut, soldered and bent to form. While Bryony likes to make things in pairs she always likes to add an element of contrast so in the case of the candlesticks they have two different finishes - one is polished and the other matt. Once she graduates Bryony will be looking for a workshop so that she can continue with her silversmithing. She also hopes to be able to work with an experienced silversmith to widen her range of skills such as hand-raising. Mary Ann Simmons said: “Bryony's candlesticks show a nice fluidity of movement and are designed to create a strong presence on the table.”
The Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company Mr Hector Miller presented Filipa and Bryony with a prize of £1,500, made up of a cheque of £1,000 plus precious metal to the value of £500.
As well as their cheques both Filipa and Bryony have automatically be given places on the Goldsmiths’ Company’s annual graduate business course Getting Started (23-27 January 2012), which takes place in January each year. They will also be invited for a guided tour of the Assay Office London and an introduction to its services, plus a ten year registration of their sponsor’s mark at the Assay Office London, their first sponsor’s punch made free of charge and £200 worth of hallmarking services.