The main focus of my 2018 degree show collection was a series of vessels for collecting blackberries and gorse flowers from wild hedgerows which was influenced by personal childhood memory and nostalgia.
The lead piece of the collection, 'Rambling Silver', was a pair of silver cups nestled on a gorse-inspired gold leaf base. When used in the context of blackberry picking, the cups are juxtaposed with natural objects to exemplify their worth. A tradition I find interesting is passing knowledge and heirlooms through generations—something that was integral to rural life. My silver cups are stamped with a traditional hallmark, encouraging the idea of family silver by having my cups be of both significant material and personal value.
Along with cups, I looked at candlelight and shadows to signify the fading and flickering shadow of old Ireland. Inspired by a now vacant family members’ home where I was introduced to certain traditions; these pieces aim to capture the essence of forgotten ways of life.
Sterling silver, fine silver, copper, oxidised.
