Assay Master Awards Prizes to SHU Jewellery & Metalwork Students
Published: 13th February 2023
Sheffield Assay Master, Ashley Carson and Chairman, Charles Turner, were delighted to attend Sheffield Hallam University's MA and MFA Jewellery and Metalwork Exhibition to award prizes to the students for their outstanding work.
Taking place at Yorkshire Artspace, Persistence Works, this was the 27th year that Sheffield Assay Office has supported the Jewellery and Metalwork course at Sheffield Hallam University.
Having viewed the items earlier in the afternoon and judged them accordingly, Mr Carson decided to award four prizes at the evening event. He said;
"This is the 27th year that Sheffield Assay Office has supported Jewellery and Metalwork at Sheffield Hallam University. It is so important more than ever to show support for the future of the discipline and we Sheffield Assay Office will certainly continue to sponsor and support students and graduates on all of its Jewellery and metalwork degree programmes.
I am always amazed by the work presented to me. There is always something new.
The quality and calibre of work produced this year by the 29 students is full of imagination, and shows exceptional creativity and skill. The overall finish and attention to detail of the work is also very impressive. Sheffield is known globally for it metal and metalworking industry, today it is a wonderful a city of designers, makers, crafts people and businesses. I thank you for choosing to study here and becoming part of the continuing metalworking community."
The Assay Master Recognition Awards went to the following individuals:
Two awards of £250 went to: Siham Wu for his work 'Portrait of Nobody' - his pieces, made up of elaborate metalwork, charcoal and fresh water pearls, were extremely well executed, interesting work where the frame symbolises the relationship of artist and audience and also the boundary between them.
And to WenXing Yan for 'Miss. Fear' made of silver, aluminium and marble. “Oh My God, Mr. Anger biting my leg, everything around me is so horrible” - Mr Carson was particularly drawn to the coloured aluminium and the emotion shown in the metal body parts and was delighted and honoured to have been gifted a piece from WenXing after the event.
£400 went to Hannah Northward for her 'Solar Spheres / Stellar Shadows' made from recycled Silver. Created by magnified sunlight, these necklaces adorn the body with representations of sunspot data. When viewed at the event, the pieces were captivating as was the story about all the individual elements that make up the necklaces.
The final award of £600 went to Shinta Nakajima for his 'Fugacious Vessels: Acanthus I' series in copper and tin. This was truly eye-catching work that showed such high quality silversmithing precision and skill. It was wonderful to see the Acanthus pattern reproduced in a new way. Shinta was also commissioned to make a piece in silver for the Sheffield Assay Office precious metal collection in 2023 as the Office celebrates its 250th anniversary. A commission will bear the date letter and Coronation hallmark of King Charles III. Work is already underway with the designs.
The Assay Master congratulated all of the award winners and all of the students and thanked the tutors and staff who have worked so hard behind the scenes to make this show possible. A wonderful evening to share the student’s achievements.
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us,
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