2021 marks the 75th year of Malcolm Appleby, the world class master engraver, silversmith and jeweller. Malcolm has brought together several silversmiths, artists and fellow collaborators to mark his birthday year and celebrate the joy of creativity. Malcolm Appleby & Friends includes work from: Ndidi Ekubia, Miriam Hanid, Dorothy Hogg, Michael Lloyd, Angus McFadyen, Theresa Nguyen, Jane Short, Max Warren and Yusuke Yamamoto.
In part II we will be celebrating the work of Yusuke Yamamoto, Ndidi Ekubia and Theresa Nguyen. Enjoy our short handling film below.
Yusuke Yamamoto
Yusuke Yamamoto was born in Kanagawa, Japan in 1979 and now lives and works in North Wales. He trained in silversmithing at the renowned Musashino Art University, Tokyo. In 2011 Yusuke met Anna Gordon (currently the Head of the Silversmithing and Jewellery at Glasgow School of Art) and she invited him to take up an academic research position at GSA in 2012. In 2011 he visited Musashino Art University in Tokyo which has a world class reputation for metalwork, headed by Professor Hiroshi Suzuki.
Yusuke shapes metal by hammer raising and chasing techniques and draws inspiration from the natural world. With each stroke of the hammer, he tries to evoke an expression, atmosphere and emotion.
Ndidi Ekubia
Ndidi Ekubia creates visually stimulating yet functional silverware. Her method of making is founded on the idea of pushing sheet metal to its limits. The hand-finished, planished surfaces emphasise the fluid vitality of each form. The inherent quality of the work allows the viewer to become involved with a truly three-dimensional object, each side showing a completely different aspect.
Ndidi EkubiaI am excited by the sensual and rich forms that can be created by the rhythmic process of making and believe my nature is reflected through my work. It is delightful to be absorbed in every stage, from design to the finished piece.
Theresa Nguyen
Theresa Nguyen is a designer-silversmith who is fascinated by the process of transforming an ordinary sheet of silver into a lifelike, sculptural form. Nguyen, a graduate of the Birmingham City School of Jewellery and the post-graduate workshop at Bishoplands Educational Trust, designs and creates nature inspired silver at her studio in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. She is internationally known for her ability to fashion metals into works of exquisite beauty, craftsmanship and design. Theresa created her first commission, a silver cocktail shaker set, as a result of winning the national Young Designer Silversmith Award in 2005 when she was only 19. Theresa has received numerous awards including 2013 The Eisteddfod Gold medal award for Craft and Design in 2013, The Lewton-Brain Foldforming Award in 2012 and the Gold Award for silversmithing, Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Council Awards 2009.
Meticulous attention to detail at every stage of the process and traditional silversmithing techniques are at the heart of Theresa’s work. She uses the fold-forming technique to convey organic forms and sensuous surfaces.
Theresa NguyenAs an artist silversmith, I simply love the creative process of designing and making an object for the first time. My desire is that a finished piece should feel like a beautifully composed piece of music, able to be spiritually uplifting, emotionally stirring, inspiring and beautiful. I feel motivated by a sense of wonder about the world around me and my hope is that I will be able to draw from the incredible magic of creation and be able to somehow capture a little of its essence in my work. Silver has the ability to capture many different emotions, always challenging and extending the boundaries of my creativity. I seek to make pieces in which I hope to convey a sense of organic form, incorporating sensuous surfaces, creative movement and flow.
Click here to view the selection of events The Gallery is hosting throughout August 2021.
Part III is available to read here.
