Spotlight On: Michelle Currie
Spotlight On: Michelle Currie
Michelle Currie is currently Artist in Residence at The Glasgow School of Art Silversmithing and Jewellery Department after graduating with a First-Class Honours Degree in Silversmithing and Jewellery Design in 2020. Her unique practice combines traditional Silversmithing techniques with a love of Science and Astronomy. Michelle was featured in our 2020 Graduate Showcase at Elements.
Michelle was recently awarded an incredible commission from the University of Glasgow, designing three new ceremonial maces to be presented by the university for their joint honours campuses in Tanjin, Chengdhu and Singapore to be used in their graduation ceremonies. Michelle was selected to feature in our recent collaboration with Local Heroes Design, Still Lifes. This exhibition was shown at New York Jewelry Week and was recently featured in the Current Obsessions Munich Jewellery Week publication. Michelle’s Gravity collection was also recently exhibited in February at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh.
‘I’ve always been driven creatively and enjoyed making and experimenting with materials as long as I can remember. I’m curious about how things work, natural and manmade, interested in the ways objects and people interact, and how even the smallest interaction can connect to the wider world and generate great influence.’
Michelle’s career in jewellery began soon after she left school, working at the high street jewellery company Chisolm Hunter. Michelle began as a sales assistant, training in metals and gemstones. Michelle says of her time at Chisolm Hunter,
‘I became absolutely fascinated by jewellery, the way gemstones were created, the science behind the processes and the relationships people had with their jewellery—the stories attached and the deeply personal meanings which they held.’
After progressing through her role at Chisolm Hunter from stockroom assistant to buying assistant, Michelle visited the in-house diamond setter in the new workshop at the Argyle Arcade. After seeing all his tools and packets of precious stones and metals and his knowledge of the craft, Michelle realised she was determined to train to acquire the skills necessary to work with jewellery on this intimate level.
After years of working full-time, Michelle returned to her studies, beginning in 2015 at Glasgow Clyde College, receiving an NQ in Jewellery and Textiles. Seven years on, Michelle has now completed an NQ, HNC, HND and recently graduated from The Glasgow School of Art with a First-Class Honours Degree in Silversmithing & Jewellery. Michelle served as an Ethical Making Ambassador for the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust while studying at The Glasgow School of Art. Michelle worked throughout her studies, and now works full-time as the Studio Coordinator and Product Photographer at Chisolm Hunter. With their support, Michelle is pursuing her art jewellery career, as well as spending two days a week as Artist and Residence at The Glasgow School of Art.
Images by Alex Robson; MIchelle Currie
Below, Michelle answers our questions about the inspiration behind her work and the development of her commission with the University of Glasgow.
Where do you draw your inspiration from in your work?
‘My inspiration is research and materials based. My love of science and understanding how everything connect leads me to experiments and unexpected results which is my creative process that leads to my final works in unexpected ways. For my recent project I took inspiration from the physics and astronomy laboratories at the University of Glasgow where they are researching gravitational waves and the warping of space-time. My end result, however, led me to using tiny magnetic field lines as invisible scaffolding and salvaging iron shards and sands from Scottish beaches.’
Tell us about your practice and methods you have developed in your work.
‘I use a strong Neodymium magnet to collect the small iron fragments from sandy beaches. This allows me to interpret my abstract influences and inspirations from the galactic scale through to the small personal scale via personal investigation and interaction. This method of material gathering by salvaging allowed me to continue my interest in a sustainable practice by reusing the reclaimed materials in an environmentally-friendly way.’
Tell us about your commission with the University of Glasgow.
‘When studying at The Glasgow School of Art, the University of Glasgow reached out to ask students to form proposals for a ceremonial mace to be presented to their joint honours campuses in Tanjin, Chengdhu and Singapore to be used in their graduation ceremonies. I was really excited by the project and by the East Asia partnership through the universities. I already had an interest in South Asian culture and had previously attended the Confucius Institute at the University of Glasgow to learn Mandarin, which I am still studying today.
The partnership is centred around some key future-conscious courses and I was drawn to their strong focus on environmentally aware planning and resource consideration and strength in fighting such global issues together rather than individually.’
Mace designs and suggested measurements
Courtesy of Michelle Currie
What inspired your submission for this commission with the University of Glasgow, and how did it develop?
‘My inspiration for the mace came directly from the ethos of the universities, and I created a design that was centred around a recycled oak shaft representing wisdom, strength and endurance with a gold-plated cup sitting within the centre oak which symbolises the knowledge held within. The mace features 4 silver edges representing each of the 4 campuses coming together, giving strength to the partnership and to the design itself, held in place by gold plated rings. 4 rings at the top celebrating the 4 campuses in yellow gold for illumination and prosperity and supported by 2 rings at the bottom to represent the joint partnership with Singapore and China.
Michelle’s design renderings and presentations for the University of Glasgow
Courtesy of Michelle Currie
The design is perhaps a contrast to many traditional elaborate ceremonial mace designs which are often very ornate and steeped in visual intricacies and symbolism. With the forward-thinking ethos of the partnership, I was inspired to design an object that was a modern and symbolic representation of the concept of collaboration.
I designed my proposal in CAD (Rhino for Jewellers) and presented the concept to a committee from the University of Glasgow alongside fellow students. I was delighted that my design was chosen.’
How did your relationship working with Hamilton & Inches on this project develop?
‘COVID-19 restrictions caused a lot of delays and holdups with the project, but I am delighted to say that after very successful design consultations and incredible work by their Silversmith David James Ramsay, that Hamilton & Inches have almost completed the first mace design which I hope to present in person at the Singapore ceremony later in the year.
The first mace under construction at Hamilton & Inches
Courtesy of Michelle Currie
Hamilton & Inches have also kindly invited me to work on the next mace when restrictions are lifted so that I can learn the techniques used and play a hands on role in creating one of the maces. The design itself looks simple but has some very complicated aspects that all must come together perfectly to achieve the overall effect, and I am really excited to be offered the chance to work with David Ramsay and understanding more about his incredible process to bring my design to life.’
What has been your experience of working with Hamilton & Inches, and why did you decide to have the piece made in their silversmithing workshop?