Images(4)

Chapel Point series Brooch by Grace Girvan

Brooch: Chapel Point Series

MakerMade by Grace Girvan (Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, born 1981)

Date2006

Object Namebrooch

Mediumwhite metal, driftwood, enamel

ClassificationsJewellery

DimensionsHeight: 5.5cm
Width: 5.5cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 2006 with assistance from the National Collecting Scheme for Scotland.

LocationOn Display - Gallery 08

Object numberABDAG011264

Keywords

About MePlain silver rectangular brooch with vertical bars of textured enamelled silver, in shades of green and aquamarine. One vertical bar of driftwood.

Grace Girvan was brought up on the Orkney Islands and continues to be inspired by the rhythms of the sea and the way it breaks down materials over time, altering, smoothing and changing objects. She is an avid beach-comber, collecting all sorts of objects as she walks along the seashore and using these as a starting point for her work. Some jewels, such as this brooch, incorporate found objects. Through the use of enamelling, which allows her to control the subtlety and depth of colour, she imitates the effects of the sea. In some pieces the palette of blues and greens simulates the colours of water in a rock pool and in others the application of enamel, built up in layers, can achieve an appearance that is both smooth and worn looking.

She studied at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 2003 with a BA (Hons) First Class in jewellery and silversmithing. She has received a number of awards including the Goldsmiths Precious Metal Bursary in 2002 and a Set Up grant from the Scottish Arts Council in 2005. This grant enabled her to establish her Edinburgh workshop. She is one of a talented group of emerging young jewellers, predominantly graduates of Edinburgh College of Art, living and working in Scotland. Grace Girvan works mainly in precious metals and enamel, creating a range of one-off brooches and necklaces, She currently combines part-time tutoring at Edinburgh College of Art with her individual practice.

More About Me

Collections Wall

An avid beachcomber, Grace uses objects found along the shore as a starting point for her pieces of jewellery. Silver and wood complement the solid, dark grey of the pebble.

Exhibitions

Gallery 08 - Adorning