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Silke Espinet MSDC

Jewellery

About Silke
Enamelling, stones and textured metal are the main elements in Silke’s designs. Silke is passionate about the protection of the environment and wild animals, the inspiration much of her work. Many pieces in this collection are enamelled. With this series “Endangered Species” Silke would like to draw attention to the plight of wild animals like elephants and tigers, as well as insects like bees. Her colourful work is further influenced by nature and Tai Chi, as well as art and opera. During last year's and this year's lockdowns, Silke learnt some new techniques now prevalent in her work.
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Taking inspiration from nature, the environment, art and opera, Silke designs jewellery and artefacts in copper, silver, steel and gold. She loves texturing, shaping and enamelling metal. Enamelling is a passion that never ceases to amaze. Each piece of work is individual and no two pieces are the same. Beautiful results are achieved through many rounds of workmanship. During last year's and this year's lockdowns Silke has managed to take some wonderful online courses and has fallen in love with the technique of electro forming, and making work from steel, which is an incredibly beautiful material.

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Exhibitions

Transformations, Bankside Gallery June 2022

Making Matters, Farnham, October/November 2021

Excellence, Chichester August 2021

Designer Crafts, The Hand of the Maker, Chelsea College of Art, 12- 21 July 2018

North Surrey Group of Society of Designer Craftsmen, The Maker’s Art May 2018, Lightbox Art Fund Gallery Surrey

North Surrey Group of Society of Designer Craftsmen, The Maker’s Art May 2017, Cranleigh Arts Centre, Surrey

North Surrey Group of Society of Designer Craftsmen, The Maker’s Art 2016, Guildford House Gallery

North Surrey Group of Society of Designer Craftsmen, The Maker’s Art May 2015, Robert Phillips Gallery, Surrey

September - November 2014 – The Lovers Lights Gallery, Twickenham, Surrey

September 2014 – Intrigue Emporium Autumn Show Shoreditch

May 2014 – Medicine Garden Art Exhibition Cobham, Surrey

January 2014 – Society of Designer Craftsmen, Mall Galleries London

January 2013 – Society of Designer Craftsmen, Mall Galleries London

May 2012 – New Designers Islington

May 2012 – Summer Exhibition Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design, LMU


Design Awards

2013 – Distinction Award Society of Designer Craftsmen

2012 – First Prize Body of Work The Goldsmiths’ Company, Sir John Cass LMU

2012 – Prize for Graduate Collection from the BJA (now The National Association of Jewellers), Sir John Cass LMU

2012 – Cash Prize H.S. Walsh & Sons, Sir John Cass LMU

2012 – Precious Metal Bursary Award, The Goldsmiths’ Company

2011 – Joint First Prize, The Worshipful Company of Horners, competition in conjunction with the charity Smile Train


Qualifications

2012 – Foundation Degree Design, Jewellery and Silversmithing, Sir John Cass School of Art and Design, London Metropolitan University (LMU)

2011 – City and Guilds Diploma in Jewellery, Sir John Cass School of Art and Design, London Metropolitan University (LMU)

2014/2015 – Bursary at Centrepunch

2017 – ongoing Enamelling Studies

1986 - Bavarian State Examination (Bayerisches Staatsexamen) Munich as a translator English-German, Law and Technology

Professional Affiliates

Member of Society of Designer Craftsmen

Member of Association for Contemporary Jewellery

Member of the Guild of Enamellers

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