Investigation of a Private Collection of silversmithing and jewellery, in collaboration with the collector. June 2019- March 2020 (Collection transferred to GSA Archive December 2020)

This project involved the investigation and identification of objects in the private collection of Dr Helen EC Cargill Thompson, a Glasgow based collector of contemporary and antique silversmithing, and contemporary and antique jewellery pieces.

This collection has been the focus of 3 iterations of a studio project undertaken with first year silversmithing and jewellery students, used as a starting point and the inspiration for designing and creating proposals for vessels. To introduce each project the collection had been the focus of a study visit and handling session in 2019, and was shared twice as a limited visual resource during lockdowns. I am very interested in further exploring the collection, in particular considering the pedagogic potential of collections and archives and their relationship to contemporary studio practice as teaching resources. A main area of interest is the exploration of the possibilities and ways in which to facilitate students re-engaging with physical interaction with these objects.

Motivated by a love of silver objects and the desire to support creative makers this collection was developed with the intention of being bequeathed to GSA as an educational resource for students. The collector acquired a diverse range of silver pieces ranging from student work through to established, internationally renowned makers over a period of more than 40 years. The collection represents an extensive archive of styles, techniques, materials and conceptual idea development and execution.

The collection consisting of over 500 pieces includes works sourced at a variety of galleries, degree shows, auction houses and several inherited objects. Utilising my knowledge of contemporary and traditional silversmithing and jewellery we worked to identify the makers of the work, and to ascertain where and how it was acquired.

The process of interrogating the collection was almost complete when it was interrupted in March 2020 by the pandemic. Then, unfortunately, the collector died in September 2020. The Executor of the Estate was aware of my involvement with the collection and I was called in to co-ordinate packing up of the collection and organising the transfer of the work to the Glasgow School of Art Archive in line with the wishes and intention of the deceased.