New jewellery and silver talent to shine at the Goldsmiths' Centre
The Shine 2017 selling showcase returns to celebrate the best emerging jewellery and silver talent at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell, London, from 6 November to 20 December 2017. It will bring together thirty-seven up and coming jewellery brands and designer makers from across the UK in the run-up to Christmas. Each exhibitor has been hand-picked based on the originality, quality and future commerciality of their hand-crafted pieces. The showcase is the ultimate launch pad for exhibitors to expand business contacts and reveal their newest collections.
Peter Taylor, Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre explains: ‘Shine 2017 will push the boundaries on how we perceive the craft of jewellery, silversmithing and metalwork. It will introduce the most eye-catching, innovative and surprising pieces, providing a commercial launch pad for fresh talent from across the UK.”
Shine 2017 will unite seven leading jewellery brands with a varied body of work by thirty recent graduates from across the UK. All thirty participants will have successfully applied for the prestigious free, week-long business taster programme, Getting Started, funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company since 1981. For those who would like to become a participant on this year’s Getting Started and feature their work in Shine 2017, applications for the course close on Friday 6 October 2017.
On 24 and 25 November 2017 the Designer Jewellers Group will also exhibit for the first time at the Goldsmiths’ Centre with their Christmas Pop Up Shop selling new contemporary jewellery. Ideal for Christmas gifts and meeting designers direct to commission something extra special.
Discover, commission and buy innovative work directly from the newest creative talent. All showcased pieces as part of Shine 2017 can be collected post show.
The first exhibitors for Shine 2017 to be revealed include:
Rachel Butlin
Rachel Butlin, Spots and Lines Chopstick Brooch, walnut, oxidised silver, 2017, £196
Jewellery designer Rachel Butlin with her collection
Rachel Butlin, a graduate from Nottingham Trent University, seeks to challenge the concepts of contemporary interactive jewellery producing a range of high end mixed material wearable pieces. Inspired by Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, and Japanese architecture, she creates small sculptures that focus on harmony, colour use, rhythm, placement and elegantly simple design, which evoke curiosity between the piece and the wearer themselves.
Ely Yili Cao
Ely Yili Cao, Laughing Owl Glasses, Garnet, Silk, 4.5 – 5 Freshwater Pearl, Steel, £4,000
Shine 2017 will showcase jewellery designer maker Ely Yili Cao
Ely Yili Cao stitches the endangered craft of Xiang embroidery, one of the four most distinguished embroidery styles in China, into her eye-catching wearable pieces. From eyewear to rings, her collection Silk Menagerie features deceptively lifelike embroidery of endangered animals and fauna. Having just completed her BA at Central Saint Martins Ely is heading to the Royal College of Arts this month to complete her MA. Ely feels that it is her duty to be the guardian of this ancient craft, protecting it from modern technology – in the same way that we have a duty to protect endangered species.
Christine Johnson
Christine Johnson, Optical Pendant 2, sterling silver, stainless steel, silicone, 2017, £1,550
Jewellery designer maker Christine Johnson
Christine Johnson is an MA graduate from the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham. Working predominately in silver, her collection Crossings explores the interplay of light and shadow, created by crossing lines and repetition. Optical effects are inherent in her designs and are produced either by physically moving an element or by changing position in relation to the piece.
Alex O'Connor
Silversmith Alex O'Connor part of Shine 2017
Silversmith Alex O’Connor creates elegant, sculptural, yet functional vessel forms. These potent objects are rich with themes and meanings – ritual, containment, reflection and metaphor. By merging ideas, form and technique, she creates silverware that is unadorned, but richly tactile, celebrating the material while attempting to evoke ephemeral sensations through metal.
Ami Pepper
Ami Pepper, Abandoned Homes, 9ct yellow gold rose cut diamond, 2017, £2,420
Jewellery designer maker Ami Pepper
Born in Pembrokeshire West Wales, Ami Pepper takes inspiration for her unique sculptural jewellery pieces from the intricate cluster formations of shells found on local beaches. Her jewellery is shaped like the shells washed ashore by the cycle of tides – abandoned homes that offer intricate textures, forms and tones. Meticulously hand carving, casting into metal and encrusted with stones, to form precious yet organic compositions.
Victoria Radcliffe
Victoria Radcliffe, Whiskey on the Rocks, sterling silver, crystal glass tumbler, £350
Silversmith Victoria Radcliffe in her workshop
Silversmith Victoria Radcliffe creates bespoke contemporary, tactical pieces, which invite touch. A graduate from Sheffield Hallam University, her series On the Rocks is inspired by and designed around scenic mountain ranges. Her deep understanding of silversmithing has enabled her to experiment multiple techniques, creating bespoke pieces, which both surprise and elicit interaction.
Stephanie Wills
Stephanie Wills, Concealed Pendant, sterling silver and 18ct yellow gold vermeil, 2016, £900
Jewellery designer maker Stephanie Wills
Stephanie Wills makes kinetic jewellery adorned in repeating shapes and symmetrical forms that reveal hidden patterns and gemstones. Her jewellery collection, entitled Concealed Series, invites the wearer to be playful. Each elegant and intriguing piece can be customised and worn in different ways through simple adjustments and movements.
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, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org