Jewellery students win Industry Oscars

Two HND jewellery students at City of Glasgow College have won awards in the prestigious Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Competition 2021/22.

Faith Wylie won the bronze medal award and Zulaa Fleming took the silver award for 2D Design Conceptual Jewellery, which they received at the awards ceremony held in the Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on 28 February.

Lisa McGovern, Curriculum Head for Craft and Design at City of Glasgow College, said:

“These awards are known as the ‘Jewellery Oscars’ in the industry and we were up against art school students and professionals from across the UK. It is also the first time our College has entered this particular competition so it really is a fantastic achievement by both students.”

Organised by the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council, the competition features 33 categories and embraces every aspect of craft and design activity currently being practiced in the UK industry.

For 20-year-old Zulaa Fleming, from Edinburgh, this is hopefully the first of many awards, saying:

“Being in my first year this really boosts my ego and helps me strive to win more and more. My piece ‘Phantom Limb’ was inspired by fierce creators and artists that use prosthetic limbs as fashion statements. And also ‘fashion over function’ - the touch interactive piece is both beautiful to look at but can be fragile which adds a sense of irony to the overall concept of prosthetic limbs.”

Faith Wylie, whose winning design was called 'DNA Parasite', added: "Winning this bronze award has given me such a boost of confidence and so much motivation to not hold back in my practice. The inspiration behind my piece was our addiction to technology and how algorithms feed off of us to keep us wanting more. We are actually the product, and we don’t realise as these companies are making money off us and keeping us hooked.

"The piece was a test against us to see how far we will go, if we would get a permanent device if it means the most convenient way of browsing all the stuff you already do on your phone, but you control everything with just your thoughts."

The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council encourages established craft persons and designers in the industry, as well as apprentices and students, to enter their work.

The annual awards reward excellence in technical skills and creative design in precious metals and related materials and are open to all in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied trades.