The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Career Catalyst Grants 2021 support four jewellers and silversmiths to work in new and innovative ways

Cutlery Comb, 2019, re-purposed stainless steel cutlery, powder-coated steel frame, Photographer Rachael Colley

Selected by an expert judging panel, consisting of Goldsmiths’ Centre Trustees and industry experts, the finalists were highly commended for their problem-solving approach, ambition to further their knowledge and practice, as well as share their knowledge and experiences with others via the Goldsmiths’ Centre. This year’s Career Catalyst Grant recipients aim to develop the following initiatives:

Rachael Colley, a Sheffield based artist, produces cutlery, jewellery and sculpture which are explored in experimental dining events, exhibitions, installations and visual art projects. Rachael’s lived experience, as a sufferer of the autoimmune disease Systemic Sclerosis, is reflected through her work. Through the grant she will be trained and mentored by Master craftspeople from across Sheffield, helping her to develop her metalworking skills and create an ambitious new range of flatware and tableware.

Flora Bhattachary, a fine jeweller known for her East-meets-West style, aims to support the revival of the traditional art of jewellery gouache illustration and move her business towards a new customer base. Flora will learn illustration skills from Master jewellery designer, Jennifer Bloy FRSA FIPG, and spend time in a high jewellery company understanding the use of gouache in fine jewellery design and presentation. Supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company Library team, she will also gain access to historic illustrations from the archive, inspiring new designs and deepening her understanding of gouache illustration.

Jeweller, silversmith and sculptor Maya Selway (image in header) creates handmade fine jewellery inspired by the enduring quality of objects around her – the sign of time passing and the marks of human touch. With ambitious design aspirations for a new collection to be debuted at Goldsmiths’ Fair, Maya will be applying her grant to purchase equipment and improve her technical understanding of optical stone setting with support from the Alexandre School in Antwerp and Master optical stone setter Marcel Salloum.

London based enameller and tutor Sarah Wilson wishes to pursue her interest in typography, writing styles and words, incorporating text into future enamel work. Through time spent with experienced engraver, James Neville of Sam James Engraving Ltd, Sarah will train in how best to prepare and recess metal, finally applying her new engraving skills in a commissioned enamelled piece. Her hope is to pass on her newly developed skills to others.

Julia Skilton, Educational Partnership Officer for the Goldsmiths’ Centre team explains: “We are delighted to support a new cohort of four skilled makers in the second year of Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Career Catalyst Grants. Each maker will make a step change in their practice, often at a pivotal time of their career, and we look forward to sharing the results with the wider community over the coming year.”

To find out more the Career Catalyst Grants and to follow the recipients’ stories visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org