Danish Design, Spotlight Exhibition, Woldstone Gallery - Woodstock, Oxfordshire

This month the Woldstone Gallery launches the first of its ‘Spotlight’ exhibitions, highlighting exceptional jewellery and silverware by 21st century studio goldsmiths and silversmiths.

Woldstone will showcase jewellery and silverware by over twenty contemporary British and European goldsmiths; many award–winning. The Woldstone ‘Spotlight’ series of temporary exhibitions enables the gallery to introduce new designers and show a wider body of work by designers they represent on a permanent basis.

“Danish Design”
In November, Woldstone spotlights “Danish Design” and features the work of Tina Engell and Mikala Djorup. While this duo of talented contemporary goldsmiths share a common heritage; they both apprenticed in Copenhagen, both completed their studies and both opened workshops in the UK, their styles are distinctive and strong.

Co-director Sian Perry-Smith explains, “Denmark’s reputation as home to iconic furniture and interiors designers is well documented - with Danish Design, Woldstone is showing the work of Tina and Mikala; artists who have forged their own design paths while embodying the modernist principals of clean lines and quality which their countrymen, such as Georg Jensen, exemplified.”

“Woldstone showcases the work of skilled jewellery and silverware artists. We seek out designers that not only have a distinctive design ethos but who also have the technical skills and experience to produce exceptional, quality work. We look for glimpses of genius, works that we have a visceral appreciation for and works that we love and know our customers will love wearing too. Our spotlight exhibitions are part of our programme to bring exciting and notable goldsmiths and silversmiths of quality to Oxfordshire – established and emerging”, explains Sian.

“Refined”

Following on in December, an exhibition “Refined” looks at work by Catherine Mannheim, Vicki Ambery-Smith and Sarah Pulvertaft. These internationally acclaimed and experienced goldsmiths are some of the finest working in the UK today.

Vicki Ambery-Smith moved to Oxford aged 5. After her studies in Art and Jewellery Design she started her own workshop in the late 1970s and held her first exhibition in 1977 at Oxford Gallery, Oxford. Now, 40 years on, Woldstone is showing her work as a testimony to her enduring talent and art which draws on her detailed observation of architecture. Among Vicki’s body of work is a group of pieces based on iconic Oxford landmarks where manipulation of scale and trompe d’oeil are perfectly exemplified in her Radcliffe Brooch and the Sheldonian Theatre Box.

Alongside Vicki Ambery-Smith, Refined showcases Catherine Mannheim and Sarah Pulvertaft.

Arriving in London from South Africa, Catherine Mannheim has been at the forefront of contemporary British jewellery also since the 1970s. Using traditional techniques, Catherine makes elegantly rich pieces using warm golds and hand-picked gemstones and precious beads.

Sarah Pulvertaft trained in the UK and Australia and after a decade in London, moved her workshop to the Cotswolds. Sarah’s work is refreshing and bold. She uses a mix of precious metals and gemstones in pieces which echo her love of movement and form.

Co-founder Bronwen Jameson says, “What a privilege and a delight to invite people to discover such beautiful jewellery and see for themselves what a striking relationship to the wearer each piece has. Our Spotlight exhibitions are accompanied by a Preview Evening event at which you can meet the artists and learn about their inspiration and work.”

Summing up Woldstone, Bronwen says “It is incredibly rewarding to promote the work of outstanding artists, who express their creativity using precious metals and gemstones as a sculptor or painter uses clays and oils. It is also a huge privilege to be part of a customer’s personal story as they seek to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery. Introducing the work of goldsmiths and silversmiths at the vanguard of their craft to people who will love and wear it; that’s Woldstone.”

Woldstone was established in June 2015 by sisters Sian Perry-Smith and Bronwen Jameson who drew on their love of design and passion for craftsmanship in setting up the gallery. Based in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, the gallery showcases the work of leading 21st century goldsmiths and silversmiths, including Daphne Krinos, Catherine Mannheim, Tina Engell, Jean Scott-Moncrieff, Ulla Hornfeldt, Vicki Ambery-Smith, Nicholas Yiannarakis, Sarah Pulvertaft, Julia Beusch and Mikala Djorup. The Woldstone collection is handcrafted using precious metals, gemstones and pearls. Each piece reflects the distinctive style and workmanship of the individual maker.

A trained textile designer and artist herself, Sian is passionate about design. Bronwen has worked in the environmental sector and believes strongly in investing in long –lasting, heirloom pieces. Together they believe in seeking out collections by pioneering jewellers and silversmiths whose craftsmanship and timeless design can be enjoyed now and in the future.

Spotlight 1
Danish Design
22 November - 3 December 2016

Spotlight 2
Refined
6th - 24th December 2016

Spotlight 3
“Precious Proposal” showcases original engagement rings and wedding bands.
Runs in February 2017

Venue
Woldstone Gallery
25 Oxford Street
Woodstock
Oxfordshire
OX20 1TH

Open
Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5.30pm
Saturday 10am to 5pm  

www.woldstone.com

Image credits
Bronwen Jameson and Sian Perry-Smith, co-founders of Woldstone
Catherine Mannheim, wedding bands and engagement rings
Sarah Pulvertaft, Starlet silver and gemstone rings
Sarah Pulvertaft, Cube 18ct. gold and silver rings
Vicky Ambery-Smith, Sheldonian Theatre Box, architecrural miniatures pendants
Vicky Ambery-Smith, Radcliffe Camera brooch
Tina Engell, ‘Squid’ ring with 18ct. gold and diamonds
Tina Engell, Multi-cup gem-set bracelet with peridot, topaz and smokey quartz
Mikala Djorup, Circle faceted grey diamond and 18ct. gold necklace
Mikala Djorup, Branch 18ct. gold and diamond ring