'Silver Speaks' is a show of contemporary craft at the V&A

Animus, by Kevin Grey, 2015 Right: Boscawen-Un, by Abigail Brown

A new contemporary range of specially comissioned silverwork is on show at London’s Victoria and Albert museum. Pictured left: Animus, by Kevin Grey, 2015 Right: Boscawen-Un, by Abigail Brown, 2015

(Image credit: Abigail Brown)

By Sujata Burman

last updated 31 October 2022

in Features

Nestled between the ‘Personal Pleasures’ and ‘Modernism’ sections of the vast silver collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum is a new contemporary range of silver works. In a show titled 'Silver Speaks', the group of specially commissioned silverware is giving the precious metal a new lease of life.

‘People think the art of silversmiths is old fashioned,’ explains curator Corinne Julius. Hand selecting the pieces herself, Julius scoured moquettes, sketches and outlines for prospective designs by members of Contemporary British Silversmiths, whittling down a list of 18 practitioners for display at the museum. ‘I was interested in the process, how these people think,’ she continues. The show delves into the intricate and meticulous manufacturing techniques of the chosen designers – from 3D printing to fusing construction and patination. Subsequently, the display reignites the appreciation for silver craft in the new age.

The pieces were intimately displayed in a set by sculptural designer and artist Marcin Rusak. From the line up, Mary Ann Simmons and Juliette Bigley's geometrical sculptures particularly stood out. The RCA-trained Simmons' multi-side vessel is formed from a flat sheet of Britannia silver, while London-based Bigley's conceptual fruit bowls plays between lines and circles.

Innovative techniques were found in Hamish Dobbie’s decorative Growth Vase. Inspired by the geological formations of Fingal’s Cave on the Scottish island of Staffa, the creation started out as a series of wax hexagons (which are also on display). Dobbie then turned these into a vast range of 3D printed silver hexagons, gradually soldered together to build the sculpture.

Some of show's most striking pieces emerge as if made from another material. Alistair McCallum’s Silver Vase with a Mokume Gane Rim engages with a Japanese metalworking technique that fuses the alloys, appearing like grains inside a branch. Meanwhile, Hazel Thorn’s Wrapped Birch Fruit Bowl utilises new procedures in gilding metal to create a fluid porous pattern.

Rajesh Gogna explored more historical techniques. Using hammering and fabrication he moulded sterling silver into an abstract one-dimensional teapot and cup concept titled Retro-ism Ice Tea for One.

‘Silversmith craft is a lonely profession,’ Julius muses about each of the designer's solo journeys – all of which certainly give silver a moment to speak for itself.

Four Piece Vessel Set, by Rebecca de Quin — Handpicked by curator Corinne Julius, the pieces explore the intricate and meticulous manufacturing of the British designers, reigniting an appreciation for silver craft for a new age. Pictured: *Four Piece Vessel Set*, by Rebecca de Quin, 2015

Two Bowls, by Juliette Bigley, 2015. Right:12/24, by Mary Ann Simmons — Mary Ann Simmons and Juliette Bigley both explore geometrical shapes in soldered sterling and Britannia silvers. Pictured left: *Two Bowls*, by Juliette Bigley, 2015. Right:*12/24*, by Mary Ann Simmons, 2015

The fluid wood-like pattern — *Wrapped Birch Fruit Bowl* by Hazel Thorn, 2016, was inspired by the Scottish landscape and uses new techniques in metal gilding to create the fluid wood-like pattern

Pictured left: Brushstroke, by Rauni Higson, 2016. Right: Silver Vase With A Mokume Gane Rim, by Alistair McCallum, 2015 — Pictured left: *Brushstroke*, by Rauni Higson, 2016. Right: *Silver Vase With A Mokume Gane Rim*, by Alistair McCallum, 2015

The pieces were intimately displayed in a set by sculptural designer and artist Marcin Rusak. Pictured: *Soft Vessels on Stilts*, by Adi Toch, 2015

Rajesh Gogna explored more historical techniques. Using hammering and fabrication he moulded sterling silver into an abstract one-dimensional teapot and cup concept titled *Retro-ism Ice Tea for One*, 2015

*From Five Finds*, by Stuart Cairns, 2015

Pictured left: Urban, by Anna Lorenz, 2015. Right: Juxtapose Cups, by Cara Murphy, 2015 — Pictured left: *Urban*, by Anna Lorenz, 2015. Right: *Juxtapose Cups*, by Cara Murphy, 2015

*’Pillow’ Cutlery Set*, by Angela Cork, 2015

*Silver Leather Clutch*, by Kyosun Jung, 2016

Waves & Growth vase — ’Silver Speaks: Idea to Object’ remains on show until 31 January 2017. Pictured: *Waves*, by Nan Nan Liu, 2016. Right: *Growth Vase,* by Hamish Dobbie, 2015

INFORMATION

’Silver Speaks: Idea to Object’ is on view until 31 January 2017. For more information, visit the ’Silver Speaks’ website

ADDRESS

Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London, SW7 2RL

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Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.