RAUNI HIGSON
ILLUMINATING SILVER
Alchemy in the 21st century
9 SEPTEMBER - 29 OCTOBER 2023
Demonstration of metalworking with Rauni Higson on Sunday 29th October, 11am - 1pm. Free to drop-in on the day.
Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, ‘Illuminating Silver’ gives an insightful glimpse into the process and practice of one of the UK’s leading sculptural silversmiths, QEST scholar and multi-award winning craftswoman., Rauni Higson.
The exhibition takes visitors through the journey of a silversmith, told using key commissions to illustrate the design process. Learn about the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Processional Cross commission from a beautiful animated short film, and both virtual and augmented reality experiences.
While the public perception of silver is often rooted in antiques and history, this show celebrates the relevance and value of a niche endangered skill, its artistry and contribution to the current cultural landscape. Presented in ‘chapters’, the exhibition features physical objects, virtual and augmented reality, documentary material - showing the development of a piece of artwork and make up of a sustainable career.
The ‘chapters’ include:
Illuminating Commissioning
An exploration of commissioning through specific projects including a contemporary sport trophy for women’s rowing. The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Processional Cross commission is presented as a photorealistic 3D animation, on screen, with a VR headset and augmented reality, to allow the audience to explore a publicly used but sacred and inaccessible object up close, including the invisible engineering and construction (collaboration with Stephen Heaton Photography)
The Power of Practice
This explores high-level skills and mastery, Passing on Skills (peer to peer training, the John Cussell Memorial fund project, creating high level professional skills training to address the increasing skills gap and transfer skills); Continuous Professional Development via support from bodies including the Arts Council of Wales and QEST.
The Strength of Community
The strength of a network of interdependent artist practitioners supporting each other’s small businesses to sustain a vibrant creative economy,
and most importantly…
Showcasing a body of new artwork - exquisite vessels for sale and recently completed commissions.
“Silver is a magical material that responds to light like nothing else, except perhaps the moon. It has entranced humans forever, and its extraordinary malleability means that almost any form that can be imagined can be realised, with enough time, skill, and patience. I fell in love with silver when I first used it over thirty years ago, and I know I’ll never tire of it as a material to create with. I seek to represent the feel of the landscape and my experience of it, my connection to it, it's my love letter to Snowdonia." Rauni Higson
ABOUT RAUNI HIGSON
Rauni Higson is one of Britain’s leading silversmiths. Originally trained in Finland, she established her studio in 1997 in the dramatic landscape of Snowdonia, a rich backdrop of mountainous crags and rugged coastline that inspire her work. Rauni specialises in hammer-formed silver that people can use to celebrate and commemorate - everlasting treasures that will become the heirlooms of the future. Contemporary sculptural designs are created using traditional techniques, connecting and responding to the natural world and clients’ significant themes. Rauni has been a valued member of the Makers Guild in Wales since joining in 2000.
Commissions include six pieces in the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, National Museum of Wales, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, and Henley Royal Regatta. Rauni works to commission on landmark projects, creates speculative artworks, makes silverware to order or buy and jewellery. raunihigson.co.uk
Essay kindly provided by Karin Paynter MA RCA FRSA Trustee Bishopsland Educational Trust, Goldsmiths’ Company Livery, Goldsmiths’ Company Communications Committee, Founding Member and Creative Director ERA5050
Works kindly on loan from: The Clothworkers' Company, Henley Royal Regatta, The Pearson Silver Collection
The exhibition includes silverware by fellow guild member Rebecca Oldfield who trained with Rauni to develop her silversmithing skills.
This exhibition has been made possible with the support of the Arts Council of Wales, Stephen Heaton, John Andrew (Pearson Silver Collection), Philip Hughes (Ruthin Craft Centre), Karin Paynter
Catalogue, photography, CAD & VR design: Stephen Heaton
Catalogue available to order here
The exhibition takes visitors through the journey of a silversmith, told using key commissions to illustrate the design process. Learn about the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Processional Cross commission from a beautiful animated short film, and both virtual and augmented reality experiences.
While the public perception of silver is often rooted in antiques and history, this show celebrates the relevance and value of a niche endangered skill, its artistry and contribution to the current cultural landscape. Presented in ‘chapters’, the exhibition features physical objects, virtual and augmented reality, documentary material - showing the development of a piece of artwork and make up of a sustainable career.
The ‘chapters’ include:
Illuminating Commissioning
An exploration of commissioning through specific projects including a contemporary sport trophy for women’s rowing. The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Processional Cross commission is presented as a photorealistic 3D animation, on screen, with a VR headset and augmented reality, to allow the audience to explore a publicly used but sacred and inaccessible object up close, including the invisible engineering and construction (collaboration with Stephen Heaton Photography)
The Power of Practice
This explores high-level skills and mastery, Passing on Skills (peer to peer training, the John Cussell Memorial fund project, creating high level professional skills training to address the increasing skills gap and transfer skills); Continuous Professional Development via support from bodies including the Arts Council of Wales and QEST.
The Strength of Community
The strength of a network of interdependent artist practitioners supporting each other’s small businesses to sustain a vibrant creative economy,
and most importantly…
Showcasing a body of new artwork - exquisite vessels for sale and recently completed commissions.
“Silver is a magical material that responds to light like nothing else, except perhaps the moon. It has entranced humans forever, and its extraordinary malleability means that almost any form that can be imagined can be realised, with enough time, skill, and patience. I fell in love with silver when I first used it over thirty years ago, and I know I’ll never tire of it as a material to create with. I seek to represent the feel of the landscape and my experience of it, my connection to it, it's my love letter to Snowdonia." Rauni Higson
ABOUT RAUNI HIGSON
Rauni Higson is one of Britain’s leading silversmiths. Originally trained in Finland, she established her studio in 1997 in the dramatic landscape of Snowdonia, a rich backdrop of mountainous crags and rugged coastline that inspire her work. Rauni specialises in hammer-formed silver that people can use to celebrate and commemorate - everlasting treasures that will become the heirlooms of the future. Contemporary sculptural designs are created using traditional techniques, connecting and responding to the natural world and clients’ significant themes. Rauni has been a valued member of the Makers Guild in Wales since joining in 2000.
Commissions include six pieces in the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, National Museum of Wales, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, and Henley Royal Regatta. Rauni works to commission on landmark projects, creates speculative artworks, makes silverware to order or buy and jewellery. raunihigson.co.uk
Essay kindly provided by Karin Paynter MA RCA FRSA Trustee Bishopsland Educational Trust, Goldsmiths’ Company Livery, Goldsmiths’ Company Communications Committee, Founding Member and Creative Director ERA5050
Works kindly on loan from: The Clothworkers' Company, Henley Royal Regatta, The Pearson Silver Collection
The exhibition includes silverware by fellow guild member Rebecca Oldfield who trained with Rauni to develop her silversmithing skills.
This exhibition has been made possible with the support of the Arts Council of Wales, Stephen Heaton, John Andrew (Pearson Silver Collection), Philip Hughes (Ruthin Craft Centre), Karin Paynter
Catalogue, photography, CAD & VR design: Stephen Heaton
Catalogue available to order here
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Processional Cross and Acolyte Candles commission 2020.