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May Issue 2009
The Gregg Museum
of Art & Design in Raleigh, NC, Features Contemporary Scottish
Silver
The Gregg Museum of Art & Design in Raleigh, NC, is presenting the exhibit, Silver of the Stars, a collection of contemporary Scottish silver made by some of Scotland's finest artists and created in collaboration with 10 of the most glittering names from the worlds of film, fashion, theatre, music and literature. The exhibit is on view through July 2, 2009.
The exhibition includes a teapot inspired by a Harley Davidson three-wheeler for Billy Connolly and a stunning silver and gold quaich for Sir Sean Connery. An absinthe goblet overflowing with decadence has been created for fashion designer Alexander McQueen while a mug and teapot with reclaimed motorbike handles has been made in silver for Ewan McGregor.
Other pieces include a fringed and diamond studded teapot for Sharleen Spiteri, a whisky set for Robbie Coltrane, a hot chocolate service for Nicola Benedetti, a claret set for theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh and a handle-less teapot for Lulu.
Michael Laing, the Deacon of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh, says: "The idea for Silver of the Stars was to find a way of uniting creative talent from many different disciplines. Scotland is in the unique position of fostering a community of world-class silversmiths and we have also produced some of the biggest names in global entertainment.
"Nothing unites us more as human beings than the ritual of sharing a drink with a friend. It is a simple yet profound experience and what has emerged from making this solid through silver is a heartwarming affirmation of the ties that bind all with Scottish blood in their veins, no matter how famous."
Silver of the Stars has been on its first World Tour, where it was exhibited in London, New York, St Petersburg, Beijing, Kyoto and Edinburgh, attracting half a million visitors.
The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh is the oldest consumer protection group in Scotland and is also believed to be the oldest continually existing business of any kind in the country. It still carries out its original function of promoting the interests of goldsmiths, silversmiths and jewellers and through the Assay Office it tests and hallmarks precious metals, applying the internationally-renowned Scottish hallmark.
Silver of the Stars has made a contribution to charities nominated by each of the stars involved. Following a planned second world tour, it is anticipated that the Collection will be purchased by a major museum or gallery.
Two silversmiths who have created pieces for the exhibit are Michael Lloyd of Castle Douglas and Marion Kane of West Kilbride.
Lloyd's work is in notable public collections including: Millennium Collection for Bute House, Victoria & Albert Museum, Museum of Scotland, 10 Downing Street, and Mace for the Scottish Parliament.
Sir Sean Connery asked to be paired with Lloyd having seen the silver water jugs he created for The Millennium Collection for Bute House. His work pays homage to the landscape and to weapons of peace. In order to reflect this and the choice of Sir Sean's charity, The Scottish International Education Trust, he has chosen to decorate this beautifully chased quaich with an apple motif, representing at once the natural world and the fruit of knowledge, itself a weapon of peace.
Marion Kane's work is also in notable public collections including: Millennium Collection for Bute House and the Burrell Collection. She departed from her usual feminine style of silversmithing, with its natural, flowing lines, to create this chunky and quintessentially masculine coffee set for Ewan McGregor. She raised the main body and lid of each piece, used fabrication and riveting for the handles, and she turned the acrylic stoppers. Kane sourced reclaimed motorbike handles for the handles of the jug and mug. On the jug she laser engraved the names of the countries that Ewan and Charley Boorman visited on their "Long Way Round" motorbike trip. The registration plates of their bikes are inscribed on the mug.
For further information
check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Museum at
919/515-3503 or visit (www.ncsu.edu/arts).
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