In Class of 2021, we are delighted to introduce new talent from Jewellery & Silversmithing, all graduates from art colleges in Scotland, 2021. The Art & Design departments from the art colleges across Scotland are always impressive, and we have selected five makers whose work stood out as ones to watch, particularly as many students may have had little access to studio practice during the last 22 months.
Artists include: Scarlett Bunce | Finlay Grant | Iris (Bingyan) Qu | Scott Smith | Iona Turner
Scarlett Bunce
Initially studying Painting in the Fine Art School at Edinburgh College of Art, Scarlett transitioned from traditional painting to more experimental installations and mixed media work. Her interested in the process of making and design aesthetic led her to switch her studies from Fine Art to Design – specifically Jewellery. Gaining a First Class Honours in Jewellery & Silversmithing, Scarlett’s work shows a quiet confidence and acute attention to detail.
Scarlett BunceMy practise focuses on the technique of beadwork. Each bead and its placement forms an integral part of the finished pattern. It’s a very deliberate and meticulous way of working and, as such, comes to represent visually the time and labour invested. Inspired by the versatility of the technique I create two separated bodies of work: a jewellery collection and a silk scarf. Both demonstrate different beading techniques.
Finlay Grant
Graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Finlay Grant is a Scottish jewellery artist who uses vibrant coloured resin to create striking art jewellery. Finlay’s inspirations are diverse, but recurring themes of architecture, geometry, and colour can be seen throughout his pieces.
Finlay GrantAs a competitive swimmer, and more recently as a lifeguard, I have spent a lot of time in and around swimming pools and decided to investigate the structure and fabric of this unique environment for my Honours year project, ‘SPLASH’. I was particularly drawn to the distinctive patterns created by the tiles that line the pool and the geometric distortion that takes place when light travels through the moving water.
The process of making always starts with an extensive period of drawing, from both primary and secondary sources.
Iris (Bingyan) Qu
Born in China, Iris Qu grew up with an interest in design – perhaps inherited from her parents who are both landscape architects. From an early age Iris gravitated towards the beauty of gems and the glow of metals, so chose to peruse this passion at the Jewellery & Silversmithing department of Edinburgh College of Art.
During her time at Edinburgh College of Art, Iris developed a style of combining precious metals and non-precious materials with wonderful precision. Combing these materials, she creates stunning kinetic jewellery that bring such joy to the wearer.
Iris (Bingyan) QuMy graduate collection is inspired by my childhood experience of collecting glass marbles from Ramune.
This Japanese soft drink was very popular when I was younger. We saw the marbles in the soft drink bottles as trapped treasure or beautiful gems. I would feel hugely excited when my parents got me one as a reward for doing well or an occasional present. Nowadays, I can have as many marbles as I want, but it's difficult to gain same simple happiness as a grown-up!
Scott Smith
Graduating from Glasgow School of Art, Scott Smith uses the carving skills he learned as a boy at Portsoy Scouts to create pieces reflecting the practices favoured by the seashore’s ancient craftspeople.
An award-winning silversmith, Scott uses materials such as precious metals and reclaimed wood alongside a variety of repetitive and meditative practises – traditionally favoured by ancient Scottish craftspeople, to interrogate early Pictish carvings, contemplating mark making and the authenticity of replicas. Scott is the only person to have won the Gosset Champagne 2D Silversmith of Year award at the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Awards for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021.
Scott SmithI often create pieces of handheld silverware that sit comfortably on both the dining table and in the wild Scottish landscapes that shaped their designs. Responsiveness to environment and reflective practises have emerged as qualities in my recent work; a passion for meditative practises that allows for an expansive role for materials, instinctive making and spontaneous responses.
Iona Turner
Iona Turner is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, showcasing a sensitive and tactile approach to materials in her unique seaweed jewellery. Describing herself as an “ecologically-conscious maker of art jewellery and objects”, Iona is very much material-lead, often working with wild materials, encountered while immersed in Scottish waters. Her wearable works, crafted with seaweeds, are a catalyst for a unique relationship developed through cold water surfing, foraging and a deep understanding of the local social and ecological seascape.
Iona TurnerThe Seaweed Gatherer is an ongoing jewellery collection materialised from gathered seaweed. The process is that of careful attention to, and immersion in, seaweeds’ wild ecology. Following the cycles of the moon and rhythms of the tide, seaweeds shapeshift from their submerged to storm-cast state.
Class of 2021 runs until 26 February 2022, and can be viewed online here.