Jewellery
Grant specialises in using recycled silver and gold and ethically sourced gemstones to create organic pieces of work. He likes to use melting techniques to texture the surface of metal pushing it as far as he dare, giving an earth like feel to his work. Grant is also fascinated with archeological and historic jewellery and especially chain making techniques. Admittedly two very differing jewellery making skills, one damaging metal and one controlled which he says “does sum up my personality quite well too!” His on going work is bringing both sides together juxtaposing the clean and controlled with the organic and wild. Grant is also interested in the way jewellery communicates to others who we are, his pieces have a depth and interest beyond what is initially seen, creating scars and rips to reveal hidden aspects and precious gems. He calls it warrior scars and hopes to convey a message that just because we are older, scarred and battered we are still valid and have something to offer society. “Look beyond the surface and see who we truly are”.
About The Artist
Grant is based in rural Buckinghamshire although the border with Berkshire is literally at the bottom of his garden, jewellery making is a second career for him, having spend 30 years working in catering management. He started with adult education classes and eventually went to gain my diplomas in precious metal work at Poole College and then moved up to his current home and did a three year product design course specialising in jewellery and precious metal work. Grant studied with a jeweller, silversmith and precious metal technician for the three years and under their guidance achieved a 2/1 and was offered an associate lecturer position on the day of his graduation and remained there for 4 years teaching precious metal work. He has also worked in education teaching children and adults alike mainly in arts centres but also in schools. Teaching is a large part of what Grant does as he feels education is vital to ones own mental health as well as the general health of society. It is now over a decade since he went to University and is still learning about himself, his art and people in general. “It is a wonderful life”.
