In 2017, two leading jewellery experts, curator and writer Amanda Game and designer and teacher Professor Dorothy Hogg MBE, curated 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship for Elements 3.
They invited 50 artists and designers from around the world to contribute a work, or series of works, to the exhibition. Each artist was invited on the basis of their ability to balance interesting ideas, skillful craftsmanship and a fresh and exciting approach to a wide range of materials and techniques.
Many works had never been shown in Edinburgh (or indeed the UK) and work spanned generations, technologies and approaches. The exhibition featured pieces from designers who trained in jewellery and moved into different fields, including sculpture, luxury goods, and Japanese carving, and others who received early training in painting, sculpture and product design, who were drawn to create works in this most intimate, and ancient of arts.
All works reveal qualities inherent in the chosen title, taken from a book of that name published in the 1940s by Salvador Dali. 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship offered insight and encouragement to all designers who practice in this area in Scotland and beyond.
The show was a great success, attracting more than 20,000 visitors. The Incorporation, alongside others, contributed funds, to a special commemorative publication.
Exhibiting Artists
Above Average Productions; Anni Albers ; Malcolm Appleby; Miki Asai; Giampaolo Babetto; Gijs Bakker; Peter Bauhuis; Julie Blyfield; Tord Boontje; Jonathan Boyd; Esther Brinkmann; Maisie Broadhead; Kim Buck; Peter Chang; Giovanni Corvaja; Michael Craig-Martin; Susan Cross; Jack Cunningham; Gerda Flöckinger; Nora Fok; Warwick Freeman; Nicola Glass; Anna Gordon; Katy Hackney; Maria Hanson; Jo Hayes Ward; Yasuki Hiramatsu; Dorothy Hogg; Herman Jünger; Esther Knobel; Sachiko Kuroda; Andrew Lamb; Nel Linssen; Judy McCaig; Roger Millar; Jacqueline Mina; Ted Noten; Adam Paxon; Cathie Pilkington; Wendy Ramshaw; Jacqueline Ryan; Shelanu (Birmingham); Etsuko Sonobe; Tore Svensson; Joanne Tinker; Felieke van der Leest; Tone Vigeland; Susan Wraight; Mizuko Yamada; Annamaria Zanella.
