Silversmithing is the ancient art of creating a three dimensional form from a flat sheet of metal. The form is raised by hammers over steel stakes. ‘Dutch raising’ is a lesser known technique that starts to raise from the outside edge adding extra raising courses behind each course working backwards towards the centre. This technique has the benefit of controlling better the final diameter of the work and uses thinner gauges of metal. For more information about Dutch Raising, please read the journal article The Mystery of Dutch Raising (PDF) published by the Silver Society
In 2019 I was able to bring Hammerclub The European Silversmiths Forum to the newly opened V&A Dundee. The theme of the symposium and exhibition was Renewal inspired by the regeneration of the 2019 host city Dundee, the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design and home to the V&A Dundee design museum. Featuring seventy two selected silversmithing works by artists from twelve different countries, the event explored renewal through innovation and new technologies, the re-use of materials, new designs for familiar objects, the reinvention of traditions and techniques, development of form through repetition of shape or action, and renewal within nature.
