2005 Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show

Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2005

Ceramic elements used in electrics, fishing villages, security blankets and vintage knitted jumper patterns are just some of the inspirations behind the work shown in jewellery and silversmithing, ceramics, glass and textiles at the Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show.

In silversmithing and jewellery Haley Smith’s hand sawn bowls are injected with humour, such as in her set of three nestled bowls made from oxidised copper and gold-plated silver entitled ‘The dog that got the cat that got the mouse that got the cheese’. Similar layered bowls feature scenes from a metropolis, based on pierced silver skeletal outlines of the architecture of capital cities, notably London and Sydney. She will soon be launching a range of jewellery on the QVC shopping channel as a result of winning a new International Bullion & Metal Brokers (IBB) Jewellery Design award.

Zoe Bassi brings the spontaneous quality of drawing into the metal. Her recent work focuses on the fishing villages of the east coast of Scotland and the qualities of the objects and boats found there. Through working with a mixture of precious and non-precious materials Zoe expresses her love of colour, texture and detail, creating delicately structured and playful pieces.

Sally Pattrick presents a collection of jewellery for mementos inspired by scientific instruments and Victorian sentimental jewellery. The work is displayed in museum entomological drawers alongside Sally’s collections of fossils, butterflies and insects. Each brooch, neckpiece or ring has a magnifying lense through which to view small objects, such as pebbles or shells.

In ceramics Tom Jackson draws inspiration from the past seven years of his life when at different times he has helped his dad in the family business of electrical contractors.  He says “I have always been interested in the way things work and when the time came for me to research my own ideas I was naturally drawn back to my background, initially looking at insulators and ceramic elements used in electrics, continuing to explore other electrical components. My work is made of porcelain, which I use because I like the combination of whiteness and strength and how it is used to make electrical components”

In contrast, Lisa Cumming is inspired by her love and obsession with her Labradors.  She explains “The work is illustrative of my dogs’ personalities and lifestyles; captured using clay and by applying my own drawings through glazing and transfers. I use chicken wire and with porcelain slabs on top. While the wire supports the porcelain, a small amount of slumping occurs – contributing to the character of the pieces”.

In her ceramic work Allison Weightman portrays the damage that guns can do by shooting ceramic forms with a 12 bone shotgun.

The work of Kate O’Hara takes the form of large architectural glass pieces based on the idea of security blankets. She says “The glass is cut to represent patchwork, then silkscreened and kiln formed to create a fabric-like effect. The overall goal is to form a juxtaposition between the cold hard texture of glass and the warm inviting feel of the fabric. It relates to earlier work of nostalgia and childhood memory.”

Talking about her work Ingrid Nord says “I have made a series of blown glass pieces that contain images of urbanity. The technique I am using is called graal which allows me to make images within the glass form, resulting in a 3 dimensional effect. My work is based on the contrast between light and darkness, taking inspiration from graphic art.”  Ingrid plans to return to Norway, where she will set up her studio.

Cecilia Johansson creates a sense of depth in her work by working in stages, building up colour, texture and pattern within the piece. The inspiration is from her mother’s sewing.  Cecilia’s work is a development of her undergraduate degree show work exploring geishas. She has plans to start her own business in Scotland or Sweden.

In textiles Katey Leyland collaborated with a final year Fashion student to produce a collection which mixes heavily knitted and woven materials with lightweight silk and satins. Inspiration was sourced from vintage knitted jumper patterns. She has been accepted for The Royal College of Art next year.
 
Ruth Anderson specialises in menswear print and is inspired by the mark making techniques of graffiti, hand drawn illustrations and graphics.
 
Cailin Clarke produced a textile collection called ‘Jungle’ based on florals and snakes, which she describes a “bright, mad and funky”.  She uses a combination of digital print with screen printing and has organised her own fashion shoot using one of the snakes at Edinburgh Zoo as a prop.