Helen London, herself an outstanding new Fellow of Bishopsland, reviews the 2007 Retrospective

Bishopsland Retrospective 2007

While the sun shone on one of the few pleasant weeks of the summer months this year, the work of thirty eight silversmiths and jewellers was dazzling spectators to the annual retrospective Exhibition at the Bishopsland Educational Trust. Situated just outside Henley, Bishopsland has been lending a guiding hand, and a whole lot of driving force, to silversmithing university graduates for the past fourteen years. With a severe lack of training for the creative industry in the fundamentals of business, exhibiting and selling work, Bishopsland is an invaluable resource to the ten designer makers that it takes in to it’s fold each year. The Trust has been making a name for itself of superb quality and excellent contemporary design. The 2007 Retrospective has proved no exception. Visitors complemented the elegance of the work and the huge variety of design. One thoroughly impressed silver collector noted the continually rising standards of each year.

The exhibition spanned four days with an impressive guest list of about three hundred and fifty visitors. The Thursday and Friday evenings were a celebratory affair with an official opening by Prime Warden of the Goldsmith’s Company, Professor Richard Himsworth. His opening speech congratulated the dedication and hard work of Pope and Oliver Makower who set up and continue to run the Trust with the help of their tutors and trustees. Mr Himsworth highlighted the “intimidating” list of achievements held by the hundred or so graduates who have already passed through the gates to become streetwise professionals. The continued support of the Goldsmith’s Company is testimony to the importance of Bishopsland within the arena of contemporary craft. With a professional approach as a selling exhibition of the highest class, a standard rigorously maintained at Bishopsland, the Retrospective proved an important experience for all exhibiting fellows.

An air of nervous excitement flitted around the young silversmiths as they prepared for the first visitors. It was not long before display cases were crowded with fascinated onlookers and buyers and the exhibition was buzzing with activity.

Many were intrigued by the spectacular raised vessels of Ryan McClean. His spiralling wine carafe left most wondering how such fluid movement of metal could be achieved. Another popular piece was a beautifully engraved square vase by Max Warren, winner of a generous bursary from the NADFAS group. His unusual technique of engraving negative space in horizontal lines produces an image with a strange but stunning reflection of light. One of the main attractions was the jewellery cabinet which exhibited a dazzling range of gold and silver jewellery. Rebecca Little’s twisted necklace, which appears to have a glowing gold thread running delicately through it, proved a highly desirable choice amongst the ladies. Many respected names in contemporary silver are fellows of Bishopsland and their work was proudly displayed. Those exhibiting included Sidsel Dorph-Jensen, Angela Cork, a tutor at the Trust, Pete Musson and Bryony Knox.

Friday Evening was an occasion of rejoice and achievement as the current gang, as Bishopslanders are known, received certificates as a record of their year long stay at the Trust and inclusion in to the Bishopsland Fellowship. Silversmith and senior fellow, Ndidi Ekubia presented the certificates and made a poignant speech. With her twelve years of experience since leaving Bishopsland she advised the gang to always persevere without comparison to their contemporaries. The gang were touched by Ndidi’s speech, recognising her sentiments of pride at having attended the Postgraduate course at Bishopsland. Jeweller Alison Evans, who will be continuing her career at workshops in Hereford, described the speech as “inspiring”, paying heed to Ndidi’s encouragement to design from the heart.

With refreshments flowing and the sun setting over the workshops, the festive atmosphere made for a perfect private view. Guests were delighted by the beautiful surroundings and felt it added an all important personal touch to see where much of the work on display had recently been made.

This aspect was brought to the forefront during the weekend afternoon openings. The current gang provided a variety of exciting demonstrations of the techniques used in their work. The event was enthusiastically received by members of HEDFAS, JASSO and The Silver Society. This was an excellent opportunity to experience first hand the skills and expertise nurtured at Bishopsland. Onlookers crowded in to the large marquee erected within the grounds and gathered around the working area, giving an impressive reception for the makers. All were fascinated to learn the fundamentals of raising, chain making, piercing and filigree to name just some of the techniques displayed. The benefits were felt on both sides as the gang, despite initial nerves, felt it was a “great chance to practise key skills such as presenting and teaching” which will be put to good use in their future careers.

It is the future that all at Bishopsland are looking towards. With the course coming to an end the gang will be going their separate ways as the Trust prepares for their new intake of graduates. The 2007 Retrospective marks the culmination of a year’s hard work and training and stands as proof of the excellence achieved in that time. However, as Pope Makower cheerfully exclaims “once gang, always gang”. In this way the Bishopsland Fellowship continues to grow and many of it’s members will exhibit side by side with the new gang at next year’s eagerly awaited 2008 Retrospective.