An exhibition celebrating the legacy of Dr Helen Cargill Thompson
In partnership with the Glasgow School of Art
Running from Monday 15th – Saturday 20th September 2025
Lyon & Turnbull, 22 Connaught Street, London W2 2AF
Part of London Design Festival & Mayfair Design District
Making a Mark offers a rare glimpse into the world of contemporary silver and metalwork through the extraordinary collection of the late Dr Helen Cargill Thompson, now bequeathed to The Glasgow School of Art. Visitors will discover pieces that are not only exquisite in craftsmanship but also deeply personal and provocative, inviting a fresh appreciation of silver as a vibrant, contemporary art form.
Dr Cargill Thompson, a respected librarian and passionate patron of the arts, nurtured a lifelong commitment to contemporary craft. Her collection reflects not only exquisite artistry but also a profound support for innovation and the next generation of makers, many of whom were notable alumni and tutors from the GSA. From the intricate hand engraving of Karen Wallace to the sculptural jewellery of Jack Cunningham, the works on display explore silver’s expressive potential.
Philip Smith, Lyon & Turnbull’s London Director, remarks:
“Contemporary silver is undergoing a quiet revolution — one that speaks not only through form and function, but through the mark of the maker. Making a Mark celebrates silver as a medium of expression and experimentation, and reveals how today's silversmiths are challenging tradition to create objects that are deeply personal, tactile, and resonant. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see how collecting in this field can be as much about supporting innovation and artistic intent as it is about acquiring beauty and craft.”
Alan Horn, Director of Development at the Glasgow School of Art, comments:
“The Glasgow School of Art is most grateful to Lyon & Turnbull for their partnership in this exhibition, which brings a small fraction of the Helen Cargill Thompson bequest to the School into public view. Helen was a dedicated champion of craft and supporter of generations of makers, and her bequest stands as testament to that lifelong commitment to artists and designers. We have ambitious plans to make all of this unique collection accessible as a resource for teaching, research and future exhibitions, subject to securing funding, and we are particularly grateful to Lyon & Turnbull, and The Cargill Trusts and Friends of Glasgow Museums who have already made such generous contributions.”
The exhibition coincides with the London Design Festival and Mayfair Design District celebrations, and explores the creative boundaries pushed by the silversmiths Helen championed. The collection is on loan from The Glasgow School of Art and has never been exhibited before in London.
