Wearable Vases

Something for a Special Occasion

My wearable pin brooch is for every day wear or for a special day.

Change the flower to suit your outfit.

It holds water to keep your flower fresh.

Engraving or gold plating are optional

Treat yourself or that special someone

Perfect as a wedding gift

Lightly textured Sterling Silver Brooch

Elizabeth Auriol Peers

Next Show - CRAFT IN FOCUS

DESIRE

18-20th November 2011 My next show is Desire in The Guildhall of Winchester

Timings -
Friday 12.30pm - 5.30pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10 - 5pm

Private View - Friday 5.30pm - 8.30pm

Do come along and see me. I will be in the Keates Room as part of the British Silver Week collective

Upcoming Shows

Goldsmiths' Fair -

26th September - 2nd October 2011

Goldsmiths' Fair - 26th September - 2nd October 2011, St.Pauls Tube. Goldsmiths' Hall, Foster Lane, London. EC2V 6BN


"Forget mass production, Goldsmith's Fair is all about the bespoke, the original and the one-off"

"Goldsmtihs' Fair is the ultimate one-stop destination for those seeking out jewellery and silver
by the most exciting independant designer-makers in the UK. Established in 1983 the fair has grown in stature and allure and is now considered to be the most important, prestigious event of its kind in Europe."

please visit:

http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/exhibitions-promotions/goldsmiths

I was delighted to be selected for this show this year and have been making new work to add to my collection based on the human form and character since. You will find me upstairs on Stand 43

Right now, it's back to the workshop for me but after a week of hammering I'm looking forward to a well earnt and refreshing Elderflower Collins, made only with Sipsmith Gin and Sipsmith Barley Vodka, it can't get better than this, (here's their recipe) - http://www.sipsmith.com/cocktails/august-elderflower-collins Also, while i'm here - From an artist's point of view, i'd just like to add and don't you agree - what a beautiful piece of machinary their distillery is - and what's more they've named it Prudence. Lovely!
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Artist Statement

My work has always been inspired by the human form. I am often intrigued by unusual characteristics or markings and am captured by the playfulness of the curves, crevices and creases that delineate our bodies. I use chasing and a free-form raising technique to produce the folds, bulges and undulations that are iconic in my work. Recently my work has developed to incorporate studies of scaring and disfigurement and their inclusive social ramifications. It is a powerful topic; one that I feel deserves greater visibility in today’s materialistic and visual world.

Not only does it provide a platform for the forms and textures of my work, it also provides a rich palette of questions for me to draw inspiration from - questions relating to human nature, social norms, morals, gender and cosmetic aesthetics.

My desire is to encourage people to re-address what they are looking at and consider the reaction it provokes within them. I want my work to make an impact, to inform and fascinate the viewer and to stimulate a conversation. ‘Is it unnatural, repulsive or alluring and beautiful?’

I believe silverware should be held and caressed, just as those with misfortune should be loved and admired.

James, a detail

Elizabeth Auriol Peers

Britannia Silver

BRITISH SILVER WEEK LAUNCH

British Silver Week 2011

'Festival of Silver'

Dandelion beaker by Fred Rich

"Contemporary silversmithing is enjoying a renaissance in the UK," says Gordon Hamme, the managing director of British Silver Week, "In the last three hundred years there have never been more talented working silversmiths in the UK.
The teaching by the art colleges of traditional silversmithing skills combined with contemporary design ideas has produced a remarkable group of modern silversmiths.

"Silversmithing is the great, unsung craft. People are only now starting to appreciate the craftsmanship as works of art, which are often beautiful sculptures, many with a practical use too. At British Silver Week events there will be pieces on sale from as little as £200 to £100,000. This is the best opportunity to meet the widely diverse and enormously talented silversmiths currently working in the UK and enables people to view, buy and commission works of art from these great British makers," says Hamme.


British Silver Week started 2011 well by exhibiting 20 silversmiths' work at the Inhorgenta trade fair, Munich, in February. From this, two exhibitions were booked in Malaysia and Seoul, Korea after conversations at Inhorgenta. Oeding Erdel in Malaysia has 4 jewellery boutiques in Penang and Kuala Lumpur and will be exhibiting nine silversmiths' work at the Petronas Towers, KL and also at their
prestigious Penang outlet.

Space Duru Gallery in Seoul is owned by jewellery professor Myungjoo Lee, who is holding her first silversmithing exhibition in October at her new gallery.

British Silver Week is working with three of London's West End's most important retailers to promote contemporary silversmithing. De Vroomen, in Belgravia, is holding its fourth British Silver Week exhibition whilst in Mount Street, William & Son are promoting the master-silversmith Steve Wager as well as new
designer-maker Rebecca Joselyn and the great enameller Fred Rich for their first British Silver Week exhibition. Garrard will hold a 'Best of British' show in September curated by the creative director Stephen Webster.


British Silver Week 2011 'Festival of Silver' at Pangolin London,
Kings Place, King's Cross, London. 9-13 May
Open 10.30am to 7.30pm Mon - Fri

Press view Monday 9th May at 1.00pm. Prize giving by Lord Cunliffe 2.00pm.
The five-day 'Festival of Silver' at Pangolin London will highlight the depth and breadth of UK contemporary silversmithing. "The first day is great fun with all 100 British Silver Week silversmiths showing their work and having a get-together," says Hamme.

Day 2, The 'Masters' Day', will feature 20 of the UK's finest artist-silversmiths demonstrating traditional skills. While the skills and the enormous dedication required have barely changed in hundreds of years the artistry has. Men like Malcolm Appleby, who will be one of the leading participants, are taking
silversmith-engraving to new heights.

Day 3, 'Decorative Silver, Engraving and Enamel' features collections by 22 master-silversmiths, chasers, engravers and enamellers. Headlining is the Goldsmiths' Company and Cartier Award winning enameller, Fred Rich, who may have to fire a piece of work 20-30 times in a kiln to achieve all the colours he wants to use, risking the whole piece of work each time.

Day 4, 'Rising Stars of British Silver Week' features collections by 24 of Britain's up-and-coming new silversmiths. Many of the makers come from Bishopsland in Berkshire, the finishing academy for many future fine contemporary silversmiths and jewellers.

The final day, 'Collections & Commissioning Day' features contemporary silver collections including the Pearson Collection, one of Britain's largest post-war silver collections, together with the work of 15 master-silversmiths who will discuss their work and commissioning silverware. "Steve Wager, exhibiting on the Commissioning Day, is a fascinating man with over 25 years experience at the great Asprey
workshop in London, making for sultans and kings. He can raise a bar of silver into a work of art just using traditional hammers and simple files, one of the truly great modern craftsmen," says Hamme

Two of Edinburgh's most established businesses to collaborate

For the first time Hamilton & Inches and The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh will collaborate on a joint exhibition with some of Scotland's finest silversmiths and show some of the best English silversmithing and enamelling.

This joint project will bring together two companies who have championed silversmiths over the years. The Scottish Gallery has exhibited contemporary silver for over four decades and supports and champions Scottish, UK and international silversmiths and metalworkers. The gallery has provided a consistent, highquality
platform for the best of Scottish silversmithing, showing the best graduates and established makers.

Sponsored by the Edinburgh Assay Office and working in partnership with British Silver Week, British Silver Month will see work from great Scottish silversmiths being exhibited at The Scottish Gallery. The aim is to highlight the field, the breadth of beautiful, quality work and the individual makers, the studio workshop practice and give some insight into a unique Scottish silversmithing history and tradition.

Scottish artists include Malcolm Appleby, considered the finest gun engraver in the world and storyteller in metal, and other great Scottish silversmiths such as Adrian Hope, Grant McCaig and Marion Kane who all exhibited in 'Silver for the Stars'. Also exhibiting will be Cartier Award winning enameller Fred Rich whose work will include pieces such as the breathtaking Venus Vase. On Saturday 2nd July, there will be
a rare opportunity to meet Fred and discuss his work. Unique to this collaboration the Hamilton & Inches apprentices, David Ramsay and Jamie Hamper will exhibit their own work at The Scottish Gallery. In addition, Hamilton & Inches will exhibit the work of around 6 silversmiths at its London store, 52 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge in June.

Editor's notes

Now in its fourth year, British Silver Week has benefited hugely from patronage and sponsorship from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' as lead patron, all the UK Assay Offices and trade organisations, and Lord Cunliffe.

The original launch at Goldsmiths' Hall set the tone for British Silver Week in 2008 as an organisation of the highest order. In 2009 over 40,000 people saw a major exhibition at Chatsworth, the home of the Duke of Devonshire, a renowned contemporary silver collector.

In the last three years 57 selling exhibitionsin England, Scotland and Wales have sold more than £750,000 of silverware.

Curated by John Andrew, The Pearson Collection is one of Britain's largest privately held, post-war silver collections. A small selection from the collection will be on display on the 13 May at Pangolin London Gallery.
www.pearsonsilvercollection.com

The concept of British Silver Week was brought together by Gordon Hamme in partnership with the renowned silversmith Brett Payne. Gordon and his wife Angela are also known as keen collectors of contemporary silver.

Selling events start from 6 June at:

· De Vroomen (Belgravia) 6-30 June
· Garrard (Mayfair) 19-23 September
· Hamilton & Inches (Edinburgh) 1-30 July
· Hamilton & Inches (London) 6 June-2 July
· John Higgins Contemporary Silver (Sussex) 18 June-3 July
· Payne & Son (Silversmiths) Ltd (Tunbridge Wells) 6-25 June
· The Scottish Gallery (Edinburgh) 2-31 July
· Sheffield Assay Office (Butcher Works) 14-25 June
· Urban Armour Ltd (Burnham Market, Norfolk) 16 June-23 July
· William & Son (Mayfair) 6-17 June
· Oeding Erdel in Malaysia
· OE@Gurney in Penang 12-15 August
· OE@KLCC in Kuala Lumpur 19-22 August
· Space Duru Gallery in Seoul, Korea 25 October-8 November.

Interviews and images can be requested from office@britishsilverweek.co.uk

T: office: 012496 56230
T: Gordon Hamme: 0795 686 5423


www.britishsilverweek.co.uk

CONTEMPORARY BRITISH SILVERSMITHS

Our exhibition SIDE x SIDE - EDGE > EDGE has moved again.

SIDE x SIDE – EDGE > EDGE is the latest collection of silverware by Contemporary British Silversmiths and the first exciting collaboration with the Finnish Silversmiths Association and students and staff at the Lahti University of Applied Sciences Institute of Design, the exhibition features 75 pieces of new work designed and made in response to the themed title.

Elizabeth Peers - Celebration

The exhibition was launched, alongside the Silver Trust’s stunning 10 Downing Street collection, at Häme Castle in Hämeenlinna in 4 August 2009. Finland’s oldest castle provided a wonderful contrasting space in which to show contemporary silverware. The first UK venue for the exhibition will be the Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro in September 2010.



It is now being displayed at the Capstone Building Hope University, Liverpool.

The Capstone building is a concert venue with impressive public space. Our exhibition is displayed in the upper and lower foyers. Courtney Pine is due to perform there in the next month and will undoubtedly attract a large audience. The first thing visitors will see is the exhibition on arriving and during intermission. Christopher English organised the Goldsmiths’ Company video showing silversmiths at work, which will play throughout the exhibition. There are also some wonderful images of silversmiths at work throughout the display.

The exhibition was opened by Bill Chambers - Pro Vice Chancellor and Alan Whitaker, Head of Fine and Applied Arts at Liverpool Hope University.

Article - pAn Amsterdam

I have recently been reprosented in an article by Maja Houtman about the contemporaty silver that was shown at this years pAn Amsterdam. She also talks about the other Dutch silversmiths that were showing alongside De Zilvergalerie de Watertoren - 3 other galleries (Studio 925, Galerie Lieve Hemel and John Endlich) Many of these reprosented work from the makers that I worked with last year, whilst in Schoonhoven.

The article can be found here - http://www.modernsilver.com/featuredarticles.html


The contemporary silver section at pAn (Pictura Antiquairs Nationaal) Art Fair in Amsterdam has grown considerably since 1994 when silversmith Jan van Nouhuys was asked to show his work. Because of his success at pAn, Jan has invited other silversmiths to show their work in his stand and, over the years, visitors have become aware that living silversmiths create beautiful, useful, and collectible silverware. This year, in four stands, a total of 19 silversmiths showed their work and now even leading antique dealers combine contemporary silver designs with 17th and 18th century silver.

Jan van Nouhuys -Knot 2010


Naturally, Jan van Nouhuys was back this year. His gallery, Studio 925, opened in 2004 in a specially designed building in Schoonhoven. Jan started working in The Hague (Den Haag) in 1976. He had a successful workshop for repairs and newly-made silverwork. In the 1980s, during the recession, he accepted a job teaching silversmithing at Vakschool, Schoonhoven (the only school for gold and silversmithing in the Netherlands). While there, he realized that the art of silversmithing was vanishing and, in order to stimulate young silversmiths to continue working in their trade, he and his wife, Anneke, started a project called "Silver in Motion" (Zilver in Beweging). The 19th century Watertower in Schoonhoven, where there are now workshops for three silversmiths as well as a gallery, became the home of this project.

Young Dutch silversmiths also went to India where they taught local silversmiths how to set up professional workshops to produce silver designs. Contests and exhibitions followed. Silver in Motion's continuing aim is to "stimulate interest in contemporary silver to a larger audience and to promote this unique art to the national and international art institutes.”
Silversmiths can come to Schoonhoven to take master classes and benefit from the expertise of the many silversmiths and goldsmiths and the proximity of small factories and gold and silver businesses there.

Jan van Nouhuys has continued along the path upon which he started a year ago--he creates objects in which he combines silver and wood. In past centuries, silversmiths used these two materials in both silver coffee pots and teapots. Remarkable, in this case, is the fact that, in his sculptural objects, Van Nouhuys gives the two materials an equal and harmonious role. Van Nouhuys is always eagerly seeking the unknown and his technical mastery allows him to realize seemingly impossible three-dimensional constructions and forms.

This year, Antwerp metalsmith, Helena Schepens was invited to present her work at pAn. She has a variety of skills working with wood, steel, and silver. She exhibited her “hole bowls” and her steel pieces that decorated the walls. In all her work, she is inspired by nature: she reveals plants, plant structures, and animals (such as sand dollars) by making holes, by drilling, sawing, filing, or using a laser

Jeweler, Pauline Barendse took a new direction when, in 2007 and 2008, her work was part of two exhibitions organized by Studio 925. She began to handle silver in an original and extraordinary manner using electro-forming (galvanizing). In viewing the results, is it possible that Barendse is an ardent speleologist? To me, one of her pieces at first looks likes a chalice, but is actually a candlestick and a cup.

A few colorful pieces by David Kerkhof, a wonderful dish by Arjen Lucas, and a vase from the famous silversmith, Hiroshi Suzuki, completed this presentation.

http://www.studio925.nl/
http://www.helenaschepens.com/
http://www.dubbelop.nl/


De Watertoren, (Watertower) Schoonhoven

The 50 metre high Watertower of Schoonhoven, used untill 1990, was designed by architect F.A. de Jong. The pinnacle on the tower is of special interest. It hides a pipe 60 cm wide and 12 meters higher than the actual water basin. It was made to enable the extinguishing of fire in the church tower in Schoonhoven which is of equal height. It was restored in 1995 and is now a Dutch and European monument. Since 1996 it has housed a silver gallery from which contemporary silver is presented at pAn every year. Three silversmiths have their workshops there. They have apprentices, attend Silver in Motion, and organize contests and exhibitions.

Titiaan de Geer has worked in the Watertower in Schoonhoven since 1992. He began his career as a clock restorer, but, after six years, began studying gold and silversmithing and became a restorer of antique silver. After moving his workshop to Schoonhoven, he started to design and create his pieces. His designs are detailed but playful, from teaspoons and tulip vases to sturdy coffee sets on trays.

Paul de Vries worked for several years as a goldsmith, designer, and jewelry restorer. After a few years of additional studies in product design and interior decorating, he started his own workshop. He was one of the silversmiths who taught in New Delhi. After that experience he set up a studio where, as well as his own designs, he carried pieces from other artists including those by Borek Sipek. In 1996, he moved into the Watertower where he created most of his large, modern hollowware. Paul likes to make big pieces such as a champagne cooler for four bottles, but also makes clusters of jugs that "sing" or "dance" together.

André van Loon is the youngest silversmith in the tower. He finished his education in silver and goldsmithing in 2003. Since then he has made himself (and his work) visible at all kind of art fairs and won several prizes. In 2006, he opened his own shop in Utrecht. Because of his ability to repair and set stones into jewelry, restore antique hollowware, carry out complicated assignments, and design his own silverware, he soon secured a solid position in his trade. In 2009, he and his wife Jorinda (also a goldsmith) moved into the Watertower. While always staying true to the fine craft of silversmithing, he tries to surprise. This year he made a couple candlesticks, crunched bowls and a floating silver object--a heavy piece held up by magnets.

In the Watertower stand were the results of "Silver in Motion"--work to admire and purchase by students Elizabeth Auriol Peers (soft but strong forms, inspired by the structure of burned skin), Sangwoo Kim (melting forms) and Arjan Vrielink (willowy and beautifully polished forms).


http://www.zilvergalerie.nl/
http://www.silverinmotion.com/
http://www.zilverengoudsmeden.nl/
http://www.passi.nl/
http://www.degeerdesign.nl/
http://www.vrielinkdesign.nl/


Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam

This gallery opened its doors in 1968, in a cellar in Amsterdam. The ceiling at the end of the stairs was low, so the name of the gallery used to be: “Lieve Hemel, stoot je hoofd niet” (Good Heavens, don’t bump your head). The owner, Koen Nieuwendijk, allways had a preference for realistic art. Throughout the years he carried paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics and bronzes. At that time, he was one of the first Dutch gallery owners brave enough to sell contemporary silver. After the roaring sixties and the popularity of stainless steel cutlery, people were no longer in the mood for silver tableware--“you keep on cleaning it”, was the argument. When, in the nineties, Silver in Motion kicked off, Lieve Hemel took the challenge and now it presents the work of four silversmiths and one designer.

Since 1975, At Brandenburg has combined gold and silversmithing with teaching at the Vakschool in Schoonhoven. In 1990, he and his wife Marijke Bakker opened a shop in Schoonhoven. In 2008 they moved to bigger premises to have more room to offer workshops in which participants can make their own wedding rings, learn how to make filigree jewelry, or take a summer course in mounting stones. Apart from that, At restores gold and silverware. His designs in silver are different than any other contemporary silver designs--often combined with other materials such as wood, slate, lead and iron, they are like nothing you have ever seen before.

Jef Huibers is painter, but while living in Schoonhoven in the 1990s and teaching art and art history at the Vakschool, he began designing silver pieces. His designs often take us back to ancient times. Combining painted wooden handles or accents with silverware, he designed (over the years) numerous carriages, bowls and drinking cups. The actual work is done by several silversmiths: Jan van Nouhuys, Bert Kreijen, Kees Oele, and André van Loon. Due to the combination of disciplines, this work is certainly different. The design is made first and then the silversmith finds the best way to carry it out in silver. New problems come with new solutions.

George Cluyvers lives and works in Belgium. Since 1977 he has worked as a gold and silversmith and is also an internationally-known jewelry designer. In 1986, he started teaching at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and, in 1995, he was one of the founders of “EUSILVA”, the Belgium society to promote contemporary silverware. Since then he has taken part in several European enterprises to promote our trade. His silverware is always big, consisting of vases, bowls, and candlesticks with a very soft, fine, hammered finish.

Paul Pallandt specialized in restoring ecclesiastical silver, but over the last 15 years he has been creating his own work. Among other silversmiths, he is sometimes is called "the impressionist"--he dares to chose the beauty of rough finishing--rough on the edge of unfinished. Combining the silver with iron and wood intensifies this feeling.

Jurriën Schiff specializes in restoring antique jewelry. Together with a joiner he takes care that 17th and 18th century wooden teaboxes (and the teacaddies) are correctly restored. He also makes jewelry and silverware. A favorite form is the tea caddie, cylinder shaped, sometimes tapered and often combined with precious stones. It seems that the cylinder is his best loved shape: all his candlesticks, jugs and goblets have the same basic shape and they are all elegant.

http://www.lievehemel.nl/
http://www.jef.huibers.kunstinzicht.nl/
http://www.georgescuyvers.be/
http://www.zilverwerk.nl/
http://www.jurrienschiff.nl/



John Endlich, Haarlem

John Endlich is an antique dealer in Haarlem. His specialty is Dutch silver from the 17th and 18th centuries. His son Dick joined the company in 2002. They exhibit at pAn, Amsterdam and TEFAF in Maastricht. The contemporary silver they show is made by the silversmiths who restore their antique silver.

Wouter van Baalen was educated in Schoonhoven. He began working as a gold and silversmith and also studied Art History. He made many business-type gifts, creating designs in metal or wax before they were cast in silver. He became a specialist in casting. Many of his designs fit together. Two, three or four candlesticks become one when you push them together. Two chalices become one piece of art. His "B stack“ (Folded cutlery) won a prize and was put into production for household use. At the silver jubilee of Queen Beatrix in 2005, she chose his “Dancing Tulips” candlesticks as a national gift.
Wouter van BaalenDancing Tulips 2005

Daan Brouwer studied metal conservation and restoration (a fairly new program) at The Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage in Amsterdam. Along with his restoration work, he manages to create beautiful collections of incredibly smooth silver objects--flowing forms caught between taut lines that are polished into the smallest corners. They include miniature candlesticks and big, laborious dishes. His jewelry has the same contradictions--some very geometric, some fluid. He makes small sculptures to preserve and show his jewelry that's placed underneath a glass dome.

http://www.johnendlich.nl/
http://www.studioeligius.nl/
http://www.daanbrouwer.com/

I think you can imagine I enjoyed my visit at pAn, I went twice!
http://www.pan.nl/

Review by Maja Houtman