Collecting the Future: Contemporary Silver, Jewellery & the Power of Patronage
What does it mean to collect craft today? Following in the footsteps of Helen Cargill Thompson, whose collection of contemporary silver was bequeathed to The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) and now forms the basis of the Making a Mark exhibition, this online panel explores the evolution of silver from a historical craft to a collectible contemporary art form and why collecting matters more than ever.
Hosted by Head of Modern Design at Lyon & Turnbull Philip Smith, join Anna Gordon (Head of Silversmithing & Jewellery at the GSA), Polly Christie (Archives & Collections Manager) and acclaimed maker Vicki Ambery-Smith as they discuss how collectors and patrons shape creative practice, how archives and education preserve heritage, and how contemporary makers balance tradition with innovation.
This conversation will delve into the motivations behind collecting craft, the networks of support that sustain makers, and the ways in which contemporary silver and jewellery reflect personal taste, cultural legacy, and design vision. Discover how today’s collectors can help define the craft of tomorrow.
Part of London Design Festival and the Mayfair Design District celebrations, this panel celebrates the people and practices that keep craft alive.
To register your place for this online panel, please email our London team, london@lyonandturnbull.com
