Ryan McClean is a contemporary silversmith whose practice boldly unites traditional handcraft with cutting-edge digital fabrication.
McClean honed his foundational skills in classic techniques such as raising, repoussé, and chasing, before embarking on a path that explores the intersection of silversmithing and technology.
A prestigious QEST Scholar, McClean undertook a highly formative apprenticeship with renowned silversmith Rod Kelly in Shetland. There, he worked on major commissions using repoussé and fine chasing techniques, skills which continue to underpin his more experimental work today. Now based in Sheffield, he operates from the heart of one of the UK’s most historically important metalworking centres, blending heritage knowledge with forward-thinking processes.
McClean’s body of work is distinguished by its bold sculptural form and technical ingenuity. His designs frequently explore the tension between precision and ornament, permanence and transience. Pieces such as fractal goblets, ballistic beakers, and intricately formed architectural vessels exhibit a dynamic fusion of hand and machine: 3D-printed prototypes are translated into metal via casting, fabrication, or fusion, pushing the limits of form and finish.
Originally from Morar, Scotland, McClean has worked in Sheffield, a hub of UK silversmithing. In 2022, he returned to Scotland to become the Master Silversmith at a new workshop at Marchmont House in the Scottish Borders, aiming to foster a thriving future for silversmithing in Scotland .
