Postby dognose » Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:49 pm
Press release from Goldsmith's Hall regarding the above exhibition:
TREASURES OF THE 21ST CENTURY
An Exhibition of Silver from Goldsmiths’ Hall, London
At Ruthin Craft Centre,
From Friday January 29 to Monday April 12, 2010
ADMISSION FREE
An exhibition of contemporary silver masterpieces from the renowned collection at Goldsmiths’ Hall will be on display at the Ruthin Craft Centre, from January 29 to Monday April 12, 2010.
The exhibition “Treasures of the 21st Century” presents some of the most recent additions to Company’s renowned collection of modern silver.
As one of the country’s leading patrons of modern silver design, the Goldsmiths’ Company has, during the 20th and 21st century, acquired an inspirational collection of innovative and well-crafted silver commissioned or purchased from individual craftsmen.
The exhibition comprises 100 works by 46 different silversmiths all chosen to ambassadors of the craft. Each piece demonstrates originality of design, combined with excellent craftsmanship and reflects the styles and trends of contemporary British silverware.
Particularly exciting are the very latest additions to the Company’s collection which make their public debut at Ruthin. These include a silver beaker exquisitely decorated in enamel with leaping salmon by Fred Rich, one of Britain’s foremost enamellers, and an extraordinary double sphere mesh vessel by Lucian Taylor, a silversmith who is constantly experimenting with new silversmithing techniques.
Examples of silver by two young “rising star” silversmiths are also among the latest acquisitions — an elegant flask by Theresa Nguyen (24), winner of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s young designer Silversmith Award competition in 2005 and a dramatic ‘Deluge’ dish by Miriam Hanid (23).
A number of pieces on display vividly highlight the current direction of innovative studio silver exploring broad concepts. “The meaning of a vessel for example is redefined in how it is used, valued and aesthetically judged” explains Rosemary Ransome Wallis, curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s collections.
“Take Linda Robertson’s ‘Variation’ teapot which is inspired by stacking pebbles in a feng shui garden. The insulated lid and ring that separate the outer body from the inner section allow one to hold the teapot using no handle. The complete holding of this round form to pour tea thus physically conveys the spirituality that can be found in ceremonial rituals of tea drinking.”
This fascinating and inspirational capsule exhibition has been designed to provide a new audience with the opportunity to admire remarkable pieces of 21st century silver and to give a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of contemporary designer and artist silversmiths working in Britain today.
Trev.
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