Ruth Leslie: 10

 Since 2015, Ruth Leslie has developed a distinctive practice creating playful, sculptural jewellery defined by precision, movement and form. Working in silver, gold and titanium, her pieces draw inspiration from textiles and the structures of textile machinery. Using a hand drill, she twists fine wires which are shaped into intricate forms that balance strength with delicacy. This new collection takes the hook and eye as its starting point, transforming a functional detail into a refined sculptural language. Repetition, connection and tension run through her jewellery, giving each piece a sense of rhythm.

Textiles and textile machinery lie at the heart of Leslie’s practice. Inspired equally by the subtle details of woven fabrics and the intricate mechanics hidden within looms and industrial machinery, she transforms fine strands of precious metal into sculptural constructions that appear almost suspended in space. Using an old-fashioned hand drill, Leslie painstakingly twists wire before cutting, shaping and wrapping it around precisely constructed frames. This labour-intensive process creates her signature linear surfaces, where tiny repeated elements catch the light and generate a remarkable sense of texture and movement.

Over the past decade, Ruth Leslie has established a significant and highly respected relationship with The Scottish Gallery, becoming one of the defining emerging jewellery voices associated with the Gallery’s contemporary programme. In June 2026, The Scottish Gallery will present a major solo exhibition celebrating ten years of exhibiting with the Gallery, marking an important milestone in Leslie’s evolving career and recognising the strength, originality and growing maturity of her practice.