P & O Makower Trust silver at Collect

I know Oliver Makower from the world of textiles when I was at Pongees Silks many years ago. Little did I suspect at that time that he was involved in the active support and promotion of contemporary silver-smithing. This is now the 10th year of the P & O Makower Trust showing at Collect but only the first time I’ve seen Oliver there! Maybe it’s because I’m focused on looking at the work rather than the people. Anyway it was a wonderful surprise to find out about the Trust and Bishopsland, a centre they have created offering a one year post-graduate course for silversmiths.

Onto the work. As it was an anniversary, the pieces on show reflected what had been
commissioned for museums and galleries over this period. I only took a few shots of pieces to demonstrate the range: Kevin Grey, whose banded and taped containers combine traditional techniques with those used from his time in industry; Theresa Nguyen’s writhing leaves and Alastair Hamer’s  cutlery commissioned by the V&A.

There were plenty more makers so please visit the Trust’s website to learn more.