New Designers name Goldsmiths’ Company Awards winners
Student jewellery designers from the Glasgow School of Art and Ulster
University have been recognised in the New Designers Goldsmiths’ Company
Awards at the UK’s showcase of creative and innovative work from design
graduates.
Rachel Hardie of Glasgow School of Art was awarded with the New
Designers Goldsmiths’ Company Silversmithing Award for her unique and
colourful Chimney Pot Series, a range of mixed metal vessels characterised
by their distinctive shapes and finishes.
The judges noted that they “appreciated the explanatory nature of this
series, specifically the construction of Hardie’s forms which include a
pleasing ‘sketch-like’ quality and unique approach to creating the
vessels”.
While Egle Bantyne of Ulster University won the New Designers
Goldsmiths’ Company Award for Jewellery for her ‘Curious Constructions’
collection of silver hinged and curvilinear jewellery.
The judges commented that the collection showed “a multi-dimensional
playfulness”, which was “executed with precision and thought”.
Both winners will receive a week’s work experience in a professional
workshop at the Goldsmiths’ Centre where they will be able to focus on
commercialising their own work, as well as a bursary of up to 500 pounds
towards living expenses. In addition, they will receive a special student
hallmarking package including 10 year registration at the Goldsmiths’
Company Assay Office, laser software set-up for laser hallmarking, a
complimentary behind the scenes tour of the Assay Office and free access to
the Goldsmiths’ Company Library.
Michael Prideaux, prime warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company, said in a
statement: “The Goldsmiths’ Company is thrilled to once again partner with
New Designers to recognise the best work from graduate designers. We are
proud to back the next generation of designers working in metal as part of
our overall support for the trade at every level. Rachel Hardie and Egle
Bantyne are deserving winners and we’re pleased to support them as they
develop on their creative journey.”
Images: courtesy of The Goldsmiths’ Company by Mark Cocksedge