Climate emergency front of mind for next generation in Jewellery competition
A pendant highlighting climate change and its effect on the environment has won City of Glasgow College Schools Jewellery Design Competition.
More than 400 pupils from schools all over Scotland took part in the national competition – launched following COP26 – with entrants challenged to design a piece of jewellery that reflects the current climate emergency.
The winner, S2 pupil Ashley Tandon from Kelvinside Academy, created a pendant representing the rate at which the earth is melting as part of this year’s theme “Protect our Planet”.
The 13-year-old designed a necklace with a melting globe in an ice cream cone. It was turned into a computer aided design (CAD) drawing and printed in 3D by the College’s state of the art workshops, before being cast in recycled silver by Vipa Designs Ltd.
Ashley said: "When I was thinking of an idea for my design, I thought about what climate change actually was, and how I could interpret that into my drawing.
“I wanted to focus on Earth and melting ice caps, so the first thing that came to my mind was an ice cube or an ice cream. I drew it on the world map for context and everything just clicked as the melting ice cream represents the Earth melting.
“I drew my design on the app Procreate using my stylus pen so I could draw it as accurately as if it were on paper. Winning the competition felt amazing and seeing my design as an actual silver necklace made me very happy and proud. I hope it spreads some awareness about climate change whenever I wear it.”
Lisa McGovern, Curriculum Head of Craft & Design from City of Glasgow College commented: “The City of Glasgow College Jewellery Design competition is growing each year. It blends heritage crafts and new technology, allowing pupils to see their designs turned into a physical piece of jewellery.
“By using Climate Change as a theme, each year we’re raising awareness among our future generation and allowing them to design thoughtful pieces of jewellery, not just pretty tokens. It’s also a great way to forge links with schools across the country as students consider higher education options.
“Ashley’s design consideration alongside concerns for the planet ticked everything we asked for in the brief, and the judges were very impressed by the wearability factor of the design.”
Ashley is the first student from Kelvinside Academy to win the competition, who came out on top of 400 entries submitted from schools across Scotland.
Anne Gallie, Art teacher at Kelvinside Academy added: “I couldn’t be prouder of Ashley’s success in this competition. Her design was considered with exceptional thought and creativity, and her awareness levels of the climate emergency are beyond her years.
“It means a lot to Ashley to have won and I’m excited that she was able to have the unique experience to design jewellery and see the finished product produced professionally.”
The competition is open to anyone under the age of 18 and still at school in Scotland. Entries for this year’s competition are now open.
Image credit: Kirsty Anderson