An exhibition celebrating the use of pearls in contemporary jewellery featuring work from: Marianne Anderson, Ella Fearon-Low, Elizabeth Jane Campbell, Etsuko Sonobe, Ruth Tomlinson and Misun Won.
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An exhibition celebrating the use of pearls in contemporary jewellery featuring work from: Marianne Anderson, Ella Fearon-Low, Elizabeth Jane Campbell, Etsuko Sonobe, Ruth Tomlinson and Misun Won.
Marianne Anderson graduated from The Glasgow School of Art in 2003 with an Honours Degree in Jewellery Design. Since then, Marianne has developed her exquisite jewellery from her studio in Glasgow. Working within a restrained palette of oxidised silver, 18ct gold, red garnets and white pearls, she creates luxurious and wearable collections that reference ornamental detailing and all things decorative. Inspired by traditional decorative forms found in architectural features like decorative ironwork, Marianne skilfully uses traditional jewellery techniques to make her collections. Luxurious stone settings, intricate pierced patterns, and detailed surface texture all add to the allure of each piece. This combination of colour and artistry results in a treasury of unique and feminine pieces that are beautiful to wear.
‘My interest is rooted in how we learn and draw from the past and return frequently to designs, motifs and patterns of historic and symbolic significance. By purposefully engaging with the past, my aim is to highlight the importance of ornament in a modern context. Far from superfluous, ornament has always had its own vocabulary and meaning and I try to engage with this through my work.’
Ella Fearon-Low mixes materials to create playful sophisticated contemporary jewellery that references historical forms. These forms are themselves a layering up of different visual and cultural references. Having studied at Morley College Ella now works from her London studio to develop and hand produce small collections and one off pieces.
‘Materials are key to my work, often having been collected over time, awaiting the right project to bring their qualities to the fore. They include brass to balsa, sea worn plastic to gold, and pearls to Lucite as well as a treasure trove of found objects. I enjoy the conversation between precious and non-precious components and often position them side-by-side.’
Awards include: Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Council Awards 2020 – Bronze, Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Council Awards 2018 – Bronze
Elizabeth Jane Campbell graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2013, and then spent a year as Artist in Residence at Glasgow School of Art before establishing her own studio in Edinburgh. Elizabeth’s award winning jewellery has been exhibited across the UK and abroad – most recently in Milan, Munich and America.
‘My recent work explores the connection between colour and shape – taking inspiration from colour theory, colour connotations and visual literacy. Using vitreous enamel enables me to achieve fantastic colours which I contrast with simple oxidised silver settings. The surface finish of the enamel is really important, as a gloss or matt finish can really change the quality of the enamel colour. Each piece is hand finished to highlight the vibrancy of the colour.’
Permanent collections include:
The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh; The Goldsmiths’ Company, London
Elizabeth was the subject of a solo exhibition in March 2020 – Colour Connections. Read our blog for an insight into her studio and the inspiration behind her work.
Etsuko Sonobe is an established Japanese jewellery artist who trained at Musashino Art University in Tokyo. Over the past twenty years, her striking understated gold jewellery has been exhibited and is collected internationally. There is a formal strength and invention to her pieces, as she says: ‘the form, the material and the structure must relate to one another: I am always aware of this necessity when I am making a piece’.
Please contact the gallery for available work.
Ruth Tomlinson is inspired by stories of forgotten underwater worlds, enchanting seascapes, abundant coral gardens and hidden nautical treasures. The result is a collection of fine jewellery that conjures images of tidal pools, luxuriant with tiny natural wonders, juxtaposed against imagery of otherworldly unearthed riches and relics from bygone eras; long lost to the ocean’s tranquil depths. Ruth uses jewels in tones and colours associated with the ocean: sapphires in hues of teal, coral, pastel blue and sun-kissed chiffon yellow; sparkling white diamonds; citrine, aquamarine and topaz; all embedded in textural layers of different hues of gold.
‘‘I am driven by my passion for the earth’s treasures; the magic of minutiae, tiny intricacies, small imperfections, and the individual’s search for preciousness. I seek out the unconventional beauty within and this fuels my creativity, whether in the rarity of material or my curiosity in nature. My work is often a response to my immediate environment, my eyes are wide open to new discoveries and I love to observe and absorb my surroundings. I grew up by the sea and still escape to the coast as often as I can. Encrustations is a fine jewellery collection that has developed over time, inspired by my seaside meanderings and explorations.”
Ruth Tomlinson, 2016
Misun Won graduated with a masters degree in 2008 from Edinburgh College of Art. Originally from Korea, her work is associated with the delicacy of highly refined handcraft from the East. Her extensive experience of living and working in both Britain and Korea has given her a broader cultural outlook. It has enabled her to position herself in what she calls “neutral territory” and to examine both cultures with “fresh eyes”. Influences from both countries can be seen in her work: a major inspiration is Korean patchwork, but this highly traditional form is interpreted through Western fractal geometry; creating dynamic structures for her collection.
Misun received a commendation at Goldsmiths’ Fair 2019 for her latest collection.
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