Exhibitors announced for Elements 2019 event

Exhibitors have been announced for the Elements 2019 event, Scotland’s festival showcase for gold, silver and jewellery. Some 50 highly skilled designers and makers, half from Scotland and the others from elsewhere in the UK, have been selected to take part in the “prestigious” Edinburgh event. A selection of the participants gave a sneak preview of their work in the historic boardroom of The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh – which has been “championing” Scottish gold, silver and jewellery since around 1492. Among them is Donna Barry, from Edinburgh, whose work often incorporates rose gold and ruthenium (an element related to platinum) to provide an ultra-black finish. Barry said: “Elements is the place to go to find jewellery that is truly individual, meet makers and find out about them. Most of what you see is handmade, much is entirely unique and it is always special and different. It’s a chance to find something that really suits you – or that will be perfect for a particular event or occasion.” Also in attendance is Akvilė Su, from Edinburgh a specialist in jewellery designed to question standard notions of gender and sexuality, and Glasgow-based Rebecca E Smith whose work is inspired by her grandparents’ wartime love letters. Elements, which is organised by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh in partnership with Lyon and Turnbull, is now in its fifth year and provides the best opportunity in Scotland to see some of the “very best” in contemporary jewellery and metal design. Mary Michel, director of The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh, said: “It’s exciting for us to be able to reveal who has been selected for this year’s exhibition. Elements has established itself as Scotland’s foremost festival of gold, silver and jewellery and is for people who value high quality, beautiful designer work. “It’s also very special because it provides a platform for some of the exceptionally skilled makers working in Scotland at the moment to present their work to a Scottish audience. At the same time, we are delighted to be able to bring some of the superb silversmiths and jewellery makers from the rest of the UK to a major event north of the border.”