05Jul/23

Book Review: Jewellery & Silverware

July 5, 2023Architecture, Art, Books & Writing, Design, Precious Metalsjeweller, silversmith, silverware, Vicki Ambery-SmithArmadillo Central

Jeweller and designer Vicki Ambery-Smith’s stand, at any show, has been on my ‘must linger’ list since first pausing to admire her exquisite architecture-inspired creations, at the Goldsmiths’ Fair several years ago. Continue reading →

07Oct/22

20 of 40 – Goldsmiths’ Company Exhibition Review

October 7, 2022Art, Design, Precious MetalsContemporary silver, Dr Dora Thornton, Goldsmiths' Fair, Malcolm Appleby, Modern JewelleryArmadillo Central

Goldsmiths’ Fair celebrates its 40th year with an exhibition of works selected by Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of Antique and Contemporary Silver, Modern Jewellery and Art Medals at the Goldsmiths’ Company.

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27Aug/22

Fresh Air Sculpture 22

August 27, 2022Art, Charity, Design, GardensCotswolds sculpture, Quenington Sculpture Trust, sculpture exhibition, sculpture gardenArmadillo Central

A recent visit to this outdoor sculpture exhibition, in the depths of the beautiful Cotswolds, did not disappoint. The house and its glorious gardens, as well as the wider landscape beyond, offered the perfect foil for an eclectic mix of over 130 works, most of which were for sale.

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16Mar/22

Craft Festival Cheltenham 22

March 16, 2022Art, DesignCraft Festival Cheltenham, G R Hawes Glass, Maria Frantzi, Rachel Higgins Sculpture, Sue Bibby EmbroideryArmadillo Central

Last weekend’s whistle-stop tour of Craft Festival Cheltenham was particularly inspiring and prompted this quick review. The overall standard of the fair was high with a good balance between the purely decorative and the beautiful and useful combined.

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05Mar/22

Sartorial Sixties

March 5, 2022Design, Photography60s Portrait Photography, Grace Lee curator, Sixties Fashion Photography, Sixties Photography, Terence Pepper Collection, The Beautiful PeopleArmadillo Central

‘Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture’, an exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, explores how a handful of Chelsea boutiques sparked a fashion revolution in the mid-1960s. Here we review ‘Beautiful People Photographs 1966 to 1973’, the dedicated accompanying photography show in the museum’s upstairs gallery space.

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06Feb/22

Book Review: Mastery. Women In Silver

February 6, 2022Art, Books & Writing, Design, Precious MetalsContemporary silver, Dr Elizabeth Goring, Jane Audas, Mastery, Philip Hughes, Ruthin Craft Centre, Women In SilverArmadillo Central

Following an 8-week run at the Ruthin Craft Centre (RCC) in Wales, the Mastery. Women in Silver exhibition closed as summer turned to autumn in 2021. An accompanying book with the same title, by Elizabeth Goring, Jane Audas and Philip Hughes (director of RCC) was published as the show opened and remains available from the RCC shop. We are delighted to have been sent a copy to review.

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26Aug/21

Malcolm Appleby and Friends

August 26, 2021Art, Precious Metalscolliding galaxies, hand-chased, Malcolm Appleby Exhibition, master engraver, silversmithsArmadillo Central

Malcolm Appleby returns to The Scottish Gallery this summer with an exhibition that celebrates his 75th year. The show brings together precious pieces by various friends of Malcolm’s – silversmiths, artists and creative associates – alongside the master engraver, silversmith and jeweller’s own work. Continue reading →

18Jun/21

Full Blast

June 18, 2021Art, DesignBlast Wall, contemporary abstract sculpture, Lisa Traxler, wall-based sculpture, WW11 Radar StationArmadillo Central

We’re back on track after a long hiatus – initially we were too busy to post news and reviews and then we were not busy enough, no thanks to C19. We’re now delighted to be back with a real live art show by one of our favourite artists, Lisa Traxler, drawn from a body of work developed during the pandemic lockdowns. Continue reading →

02Mar/19

Collect 2019

March 2, 2019Art, Design, Precious MetalsCollect 2019, modern craft and design, narrative design, porcelain sculpture, textural organic vesslesArmadillo Central

Presented by the Crafts Council, Collect, at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, showcases exceptional modern craft and design works produced in the last 5 years by living artists. Continue reading →

26Feb/19

Preview: Malcolm Appleby – 50 Golden Years in Scotland

February 26, 2019Art, Design, Precious MetalsChristina Jansen, instinctive artist, Malcolm Appleby, master goldsmith, silversmithing, The Scottish GalleryArmadillo Central

The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh are hosting a celebratory show for master goldsmith and hand engraver Malcolm Appleby, marking the 50 years since he first set up his studio in Scotland. Continue reading →