Glasgow School of Design Silversmithing & Jewellery

Alexis Mitchell-Taylor (she/her)

ARTIST STATEMENT – AEQUOR COLLECTION

This collection is informed by a kind of oceanography, the study of natural underwater structures and creatures. According to the Ocean Foundation, the world’s oceans play an important role in mitigating climate change and understanding more about marine species, the effects of rising temperatures, and the development of deep ocean ecosystems, is integral to achieving a sustainable future environment. Therefore, these pieces of jewellery emerge from wider concerns to appreciate these underwater life forms. While the objects in this collection are replicated in materials that are known to be harmful to marine ecology, the purpose is to decide how such substances might be used responsibly and effectively, rather than to dismiss them outright. Silicone and resin produce transparent layers, and allow for incredible light effects, stilted silver frames and solid forms are incorporated to exaggerate the clearness of these materials; weight and texture are deceptive, inviting curiosity from the viewer or wearer. Such translucency affords the wearer some autonomy, as the jewellery might be arranged to perform bright surface patterns alongside bold coloured fabrics. Rather than close down conversations on environmental matters, these jewellery pieces, motivated by forms found in nature, are intended to act as provocations, stimulating discussions on agency, materiality and responsibility.

 

Contact
alexis.mt28@gmail.com
a.mitchelltaylor1@student.gsa.ac.uk
Instagram
Website
Collections
aequor – transparent series
aequor – lost wax castings series
aequor – proposed pieces

aequor – transparent series

Material is extremely important to my practice. A lot of my design process this year was spent experimenting with different alternative materials that were available to me. The process of using resin is rather simplistic but the clear glass like effect it creates is fascinating to me. I wanted to obtain the same transparent look with my silicone, this proved a lot harder and took lots of exploration and attempts. I am passionate about using non-precious material alongside silver as I believe it is just as valid.

SINGLE URCHIN BROOCH

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON

URCHIN COCKTAIL RING

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

URCHIN COCKTAIL RING

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

URCHIN COCKTAIL RING

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

MULTIPLE BROOCH

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

SOLID URCHIN BROOCH

BRONZE, SILICONE, SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

SOLID URCHIN BROOCH

BRONZE, SILICONE, SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

URCHIN BROOCH

RESIN, SILVER, STEEL
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

URCHIN BROOCH

RESIN, SILVER STEEL
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

MULTIPLE BROOCH

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

SINGLE URCHIN BROOCH

SILICONE, SILVER, NYLON

BROOCH COLLECTION

For Sale: £ - Price on Request

MULTIPLE URCHIN NECKLACE

SILICONE, SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

MULTIPLE URCHIN NECKLACE

SILICONE, SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

BROOCH COLLECTION

RESIN

RESIN

SILICONE

aequor – lost wax castings series

LOST WAX CASTINGS

SILVER, BRONZE

LOST WAX CASTINGS

SILVER

NECKLACE PROPOSAL

SILVER, NYLON

NECKLACE PROPOSAL

SILVER, BRONZE

BRACELET PROPOSAL

SILVER, STEEL

LOST WAX CASTINGS

DECONTRUCTED URCHIN EARRINGS

SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

DECONSTRUCTED URCHIN NECKLACE

RESIN, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

DECONSTRUCTED URCHIN NECKLACE

RESIN, SILVER, NYLON
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

SOLID URCHIN RINGS

SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

SOLID URCHIN RINGS

SILVER
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

URCHIN BRACELET

SILVER, BRONZE
For Sale: £ - Price on Request

CASTED SCULPTURE

BRONZE

LOST WAX CASTINGS

SILVER

LOST WAX CASTINGS

SILVER

LOST WAX CASTINGS

BRONZE

aequor – proposed pieces

silicone, fishing line

This neckpiece is made from layers of rippled silicone. Sheets of the material are made then shaped into ruffles. The ruffles are made by sewing a continuous line of fishing line through them. This line also creates the necklace chain.

resin, nylon, steel, silver

This piece is made from a resin cast with fishing line threaded through drilled holes. The base is a silver wire frame, it holds the resin with posts that fill drilled holes.

silcone, silver, steel

The components are made from casted resin urchins, then layered silicone pieces are glued underneath. The brooch frame is made from a silver frame, the top components are connected by posts that are drilled into the resin.

clay, silver, steel

The clay components are hand sculpted and are attached to the silver brooch frame via posts. The clay is pressed onto the posts whilst it is still drying to provide a strong connection.

bronze, silicone, steel

The bronze feature is made from a wax casting. This piece is attached to the silver frame with a claw setting. The rippled silicone piece is removable and is held in with the tension of the frame and bronze top.

bronze, silver

The casted bronze rings are created with a wax mould of expanding foam and a wax shank is added. They have been adorned with silver features riveted on. Such features include domes, tubing and formed twisted metal.

bronze, silver

The casted bronze features are created with a wax mould of expanding foam. A silver chain is then fixed behind the castings via a silver tube soldered on.

silver, steel

The silver elements are comprised of domed and drilled sheet. 1mm wire is then rolled down and formed with pliers to create tendrils. These parts are then soldered onto a silver wire frame to create the brooch.