The Cass jewellery students' Valentine’s offerings are on show at Contemporary Applied Arts.
For the second year running, second and third year jewellery and silversmithing students in the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design have exhibited work with Contemporary Applied Arts (CAA). CAA was established nearly 70 years ago to support and encourage the making of fine crafts. The Cass is proud to work with CAA to display student work in their London showroom.
Students from jewellery and silversmithing’s Adored Links studio, run by Simone Ten Hompel and Adi Toch, were set a valentine’s brief inspired by The Stone Roses’ song I Wanna Be Adored, which asked the students to explore ideas of wanting and desire, adornment and adoration through a piece of jewellery or an object.
Second year jewellery student Archie created five faceted "stone" necklaces, made from acrylic with gold leaf and mirror finish. Each faceted "stone" reflects its own sides within the stone and mirrors the wearer with the mirror finish facing front. Archie comes from a family of jewellers and this is his first London exhibition.
Third year, part-time student Alun has created a single piece, a structural necklace of laser welded stainless steel that attaches to its wearer through magnets. Alun was exploring themes of BDSM, rebelling against the traditional valentine’s notions and romance structures. His piece physically alters the posture of the wearer, acting as a bespoke and beautiful neck brace, holding the wearers head high and neck straight creating a feeling of both grace and entrapment.
Persian culture inspired second year student Ramona to create a two part piece for the CAA. Using wax and metal casting methods she made a 3D pomegranate to house a ring in which three gem stone "pomegranate seeds" are set. In Ancient Persia the pomegranate is the symbol of love. Together the casket and ring balance themes of fertility and richness with the emptiness of the pomegranate shell. The ring is designed to sit carefully like treasure in the empty pomegranate cave.
The exhibition ran from 9 to 20 February with a private view that students and their family and friends could attend. Several students sold pieces of their work, including Archie who sold one of his five acrylic stone necklaces.
