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The story of world renowned jewellers Wendy Ramshaw and David Watkins. It was in 1961, whilst studying at Reading University, that Wendy Ramshaw met David Watkins. The couple “fell quickly and completely in love” and married in 1962. During their time together the couple have collaborated on many projects, including one that I remember clearly – paper jewellery back in the 1960’s. They have worked together, shared a studio for 35 years, travelled together and raised their children together, all whilst at the same time pursuing independent, equally successful, careers. Achieving their golden anniversary in 2012 will be no mean feat. This couple has made a huge contribution to the art and design culture not just in the UK but internationally too, and one gets the feeling that, although their work is distinct and separate, it is their strength as a duo that has fuelled their passions and triumphs.
Wendy Ramshaw, CBE, RDI, was an international champion of modern jewellery. Her signature ringsets are represented in over 70 public collections worldwide. Ramshaw’s work also encompassed designs for textiles, screens, gateways and sculpture. The Scottish Gallery has exhibited some of her most ambitious ideas through exhibitions such as Picasso’s Ladies (1989), Rooms of Dreams (2002), Prospero’s Table (2004) and A Journey Through Glass (2007). Exhibitions such as Room of Dreams, which was designed and created as a theatrical stage set for the jewellery, have become embedded not only in Ramshaw’s spectacular career but also illustrate the commitment by The Gallery to truly original ideas.
Public Collections include:
Victoria & Albert Museum, London; National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, USA; National Gallery of Western Australia, Canberra; British Museum, London; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; and The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.
In August 2023 we presented Wendy Ramshaw – The Early Years as part of our Festival Presentation – Wonder Women. You can discover more about Wendy Ramshaw’s life and work in her words in our special blog series here.
David Watkins has been designing and making jewellery since the 1960s and is known for his experimental approach to materials and technology. He was the Professor of Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art from 1984-2007. He is a studio jeweller and occasional sculptor.
“I like to explore technologies – to discover what they can do for me. And materials. All materials have their own inherent beauty – it’s simply a matter of teasing this out. This means we must also make with hands, eyes and intuition, being true to our personal vision.” – David Watkins
Click the following link to view and purchase publications about this artist:
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