I was in London recently so got the chance to visit Goldsmiths hall to see the ‘Growing Talent’ exhibition. The idea behind this show was to bring together silvermsiths and jewellers who have been supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company showing the development in their work. So they would display their new and old work along side each other.
Each of the participants will show an early piece from their very first Goldsmiths’ Fair alongside one of their most recent pieces, demonstrating how their designs and skills have developed over the interim time.
It was a great display of craftsmanship and was packed with the most intricate, perfectly formed pieces but the really amazing thing in the show was how it showed the development of each maker. It was so interesting to take in the earlier pieces and then examine how the themes had evolved and changed. At first glance some work looked liked it had been made by a completely different person but on closer inspection you can see the same theme running through the work with each makers individual approach shining through in their work.
I think seeing two pieces from each maker is a really clever idea for a show as their design signature and style are even more evident especially when you see the time period between some of the pieces.
The other thing I really liked about the show was the catalogue. I normally flick through the catalogue and don’t give it a second look. Whereas this one had a short interview with each maker asking really interesting questions like ‘Who has influenced you most as a maker and ‘What piece of jewellery or silverware would you most like to own’
Since reading this I’m still trying to answer these questions for myself!
