Who’s who

Dr Malcolm Appleby MA (RCA)

Master Class Leader and Honorary Fellow of Bishopsland

Malcolm is a pre-eminent British silversmith, with an international following and reputation. Known primarily as an engraver, he applies these skills to jewellery and metal forms. Designs draw from the natural world, myths and elemental ideas, and personal experience. The decorative process becomes complementary to the final form.

www.malcolmappleby.co.uk

Rod Kelly MA (RCA)

Master Class Leader and Senior Fellow, commissioned 1985

Rod specialises in low relief chasing, often inlaying details in fine gold. He makes the silver forms and designs are based upon drawn sketches with decorative chased shapes and patterns. Images are derived from the Norfolk countryside that surrounds his workshop, and inspired by frequent trips to the Shetland Islands.

www.rodkellysilver.co.uk

Peter Musson (RCA)

Bishopsland Fellow 1999-2000 and Course Tutor

I create sophisticated silverware by smoothly combining the freedom of making by hand with controlled computer techniques. I embrace the unique decorative finish of both methods and display evidence of this process. The result is silver pieces that are as honest as they are elegant.

http://www.petermusson.com/

Sheila McDonald MA (RCA)

Master Class Leader

Sheila originally studied Textile Design at the Glasgow School of Art before being drawn towards Silversmithing and Jewellery Design.
After completing an Masters in Jewellery Design at the Royal College of Art, London, Sheila then set up a workshop with her husband Rod Kelly, Silversmith.

Sheila is a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company and is also a short course tutor at West Dean College, Chichester.

http://www.sheilamcdonald.co.uk/

Ndidi Ekubia MA (RCA)

Master Class Leader

Through my use of traditional hand raising techniques and inspirations from my African heritage, my statement pieces take on fluid and sensual forms with both a sculptural and functional identity. My work swirls with vitality, and ranges in scale from domestic bowls, drinking vessels and vases, to spectacular wine coolers, salvers and centrepieces. Each year, I enjoy a busy schedule of shows in Europe and the US, commissions for museums and private clients, demonstrations and lecturing.

http://www.ndidiekubia.com/

Angela Cork MA (RCA)

Bishopsland Fellow 1998-2000 and Senior Fellow, commissioned 2005

I strive to create finely crafted, elegant objects that have a tranquil nature and appear complete as objects. Through the simplicity of clean lines and purity of form, I introduce elements of balance, tension and movement to dramatic effect.

www.angelacork.co.uk

Chris Green MA

Course Tutor

Since completing his first degree in 1980 Chris has worked in various capacities in the jewellery trade, as well as silversmithing and jewellery education

http://www.cgbespokejewellery.co.uk/

Nan Nan Liu MA (RCA)

Course Tutor and Masterclass Leader, Bishopsland Fellow 2007-08

Nan Nan investigates how to engrave on different forms and create subtle texture. Her work began by experimenting with the balance between nature and ornamentation; looking at tree rings shows the age of the tree, as time creates the beauty.

www.nannanliu.com

Rachel Jones MA (RCA)

Bishopsland Fellow 2011-2012

Rachel’s work is a combination of the simple and beautiful; she seeks to implement this in both jewellery and silverware. Inspired by everyday objects, simple shapes and lines, she designs wearable jewellery and functional objects that are made to last.

http://www.rachel-jones.com/

Alice Fry

Bishopsland 2020-21

Alice Fry recently graduated from The Glasgow School of Art BA (Hons) Silversmithing and Jewellery Design with a First-Class Honours degree.

She creates jewellery and silverware that celebrates the chaotic beauty of crystal and mineral formations through the medium of metal.

Inspired by mineral growth, Alice explores the material quality, shapes and forms of crystals, gemstones, inclusions and rough rocks using chasing and repoussé.

Alice uses the metal niobium within her work, allowing her to add bright pops of colour to her collection through the modern technique of anodising. This has become her specialism, and she is one of a small handful of metalworkers in the UK working in niobium.

http://www.alicefry.com

Angela Hou

Bishopsland 2019-2021

I am a Taiwanese-born artist jeweller.

I graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2018 with a MA in Jewellery and Metal. I also have a BA in Jewellery and Silversmithing from the Glasgow School of Art, 2016. During this time, I undertook an exchange programme to Rhode Island School of Design.

Throughout my studies, I have been developing a unique approach to storytelling materiality with metaphors. In 2019, I further adapted my creativity into commercial jewellery whilst working as a jewellery designer in Beijing.

Intrigued by the commercial jewellery market as well as 3D modelling and traditional craftsmanship, I have come to Bishopsland, aiming to develop my new collection with both digital and analogical approaches.

https://angela-hou.com/

Freya Jeavons

Bishopsland 2020-2021

I am a 3D Design & Craft graduate from the University of Brighton, specialising in metalsmithing.

I am a conceptual designer. I like to create pieces that stimulate dialogues of pressing, contemporary issues.

My work takes inspiration from the natural environment; from coastlines around the UK to mountainous regions of New Zealand. I am fascinated by textures created by processes of erosion and how our landscapes have, and continue to take shape.

Ethical sourcing of materials and practices are imperative in my work. I source recycled metals wherever possible. I am aware of the ethics surrounding mining practices and how metalsmithing can be more sustainable.

I strive to make pieces that have a lasting effect on people – not on our planet.

Beth Jones-Williams

Bishopsland 2020-2021

Bethan first found her passion for jewellery 10 years ago whilst attending a ‘make a ring in a day’ workshop. Since then she has been searching for ways to broaden her silversmithing skill set; from a myriad of different classrooms in London to intensive residential courses in Mexico and Barcelona.

Bishopsland will be the first instance where she gets the time and space to solely concentrate on her art for a full year. A very exciting prospect!

Maksym Ofman

Bishopsland 2019-2021

I have recently graduated from my BA in 3D Design and Craft at the University of Brighton, where I followed the metal pathway. My practice so far circulated around making wearable art pieces as well as props.

I take a lot of ideas from history and folklore when it comes to the ideas and study historical artefacts in search for the inspiration for the actual objects. I want my work not to be only aesthetically pleasing but also for it to be a part of a deeper narrative or a story.

I have been focusing on metaphysical objects in my research and inspirations. Searching for the artefacts that people had used for rituals and spiritual activities, I have been trying to reinvent them and introduce them back to our XXI century culture as I personally feel that nowadays we have lost that sense of metaphysical experience in our lives, which we still need.

Georgia Piggott

Bishopsland 2019-2021

Georgia is a qualified Jeweller and Gemologist from outback Australia. She likes to create small moveable objects and enjoys creating movement in her work.

She wants to create works that encourage people to touch and hold the items as well as pieces that celebrate the human body as something to be adorned.

Catherine Rua

Bishopsland 2020-2021

Catherine Rua is a contemporary jewellery designer-maker. Working in precious metals, her Times Series collection explores the fluidity of time through bold lines and forms that signify movement, dynamism and direction.

Growing up with a father as an engraver, Catherine picked up tools from an early age. Beginning her training in Melbourne’s jewellery district undergoing a traineeship, she then moved back to her hometown of London and worked under the expert supervision of Hatton Garden jewellers. After being awarded a scholarship from The British Allied Trades Federation, Catherine then went on to complete her technical training at The British Academy of Jewellery in Hatton Garden and has been establishing her own practice since.

www.catherinerua.com

Sorrel Acacia

Bishopsland 2020-2021

I am jeweller and object designer from the west coast of Canada, and a recent graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) BFA, major in Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing program. During my time at NSCAD I participated in an exchange semester at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, Ireland.

My artistic practice and BFA thesis work explore a continued interest in botanical structures and patterns of growth. Focusing on themes of repetition, unity, and symmetry, I develop detailed, observational drawings of the natural world.

The designs are then distilled and carefully translated from paper to metal. Hand-crafted in the tradition of silversmithing techniques, each piece unfolds, revealing ephemeral light patterns and textures that highlight the myriad negative spaces. Patina and surface decoration, in the form of bright colours, Keum-Boo (attached gold) or subtle oxidizations accentuate the simple elegance found in these repetitive forms.

Katie Watson

Bishopsland Fellow 2019-2021

My work is an interpretation of nature’s beauty. My making process starts with a walk, and from this I draw anything which captures my imagination and consider in detail. These drawings are directly translated into metal using the technique of ‘chasing and repousse’. This allows me to create every detail desired and produce a wonderland of nature in a unique piece of silverware or jewellery. I hope to capture the feeling of being in nature and the outdoors and so bring that feeling inside a person’s living environment or in an item of adornment.

https://www.katiewatsondesigns.com/

Kelda Young

Bishopsland 2020-21

My work is inspired by recollected fragmented memories and moments of serenity, condensing this imagery into abstracted shapes. Contrast is essential in my work often represented as architectural silhouettes and organic formations, highlighting textures and details that might often go unnoticed.

In the workshop I find refuge in the physical act of making, for me this is equally as important as the outcome, it is here I find myself fully submerged in the process. I aim for my pieces to be enticing and engaging, particularly due to the misconception of size and weight created by the forming of the metal.

My impact as a maker is important to me, I use recycled precious metals and work consciously with the environment in mind.

My work brings structure to memories, allowing them to be preserved through materialisation. The fabrication of these pieces creates a place for them in my physical world.

Who’s who

Master Class Leaders and Tutors

Dr Malcolm Appleby MA (RCA)

Rod Kelly MA (RCA)

Peter Musson (RCA)

Sheila McDonald MA (RCA)

Ndidi Ekubia MA (RCA)

Angela Cork MA (RCA)

Chris Green MA

Nan Nan Liu MA (RCA)

Rachel Jones MA (RCA)

Current year group View our Fellows

Alice Fry

Angela Hou

Freya Jeavons

Beth Jones-Williams

Maksym Ofman

Georgia Piggott

Catherine Rua

Sorrel Acacia

Katie Watson

Kelda Young