Research
This page gives details about some of my ongoing metalwork and jewellery related research projects. I am interested in the intersection between traditional craft processes and new technologies. Recent projects have explored the use of material science to improve our understanding of tacit skills and craft materials, the appropriation of industrial technologies for craft production, and the development of new ways of using traditional craft processes and materials in the production of studio work.
Mikana[read more]
Mokume gane is a high value, decorative laminate material used in the jewellery industry. Production of mokume gane is difficult and expensive at both small scale and industrial levels. This research investigates a novel method for producing a mixed metal composite material, similar to mokume gane.
The technique avoids many of the problems experienced in standard mokume gane production, such as melting or lack of bonding. It is possible to manufacture both small customized ingots, and to mass produce large sheets up to several square meters in size.
This project has been supported by funding from the Art and Design Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam Univerity; Rotary Engineering UK(Sheffield); Innovate UK, Technology Strategy Board; and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
For more information click on the link below:
Working with traditional Japanese alloys and patination[read more]
This project explores new ways of working with traditional Japanese alloys and patination through material science analysis and the production of studio work. Japanese metalworkers use a wide range of copper and precious metal alloys which are coloured with a single patination solution, an ancient technique developed for the production of multi-coloured metalwork. Our research aimed to improve our ability to control these materials and processes and to develop new ways of working with them for the production of studio work.
Supported by the Metalwork and Jewellery program and Dr Hywel Jones in the Materials and Engineering Research Institute at SHU, the research builds on traditional craft techniques while using material science analysis to improve our understanding of the metallurgical processes at work.
Dissemination activities included exhibitions of studio work in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and USA, and lectures at NCAD Dublin, Tokyo Geidai, and Tama Art University, Japan. Studio work was purchased for collections including The Goldsmiths’ Collection, London, and the Crafts Council of Ireland.
We have also been building on this research with the museum and restoration/conservation community. Using the samples and process knowledge developed during the project we have contributed to research on the work of Alfred Gilbert in the collection of the V&A Museum, London. Recently we have also aided in restoration work on the Mayor of Preston’s chain produced by Gilbert in the 1890’s, and also on a mokume gane vessel produced by Tiffany & Co of New York in the 1870/80’s.
The research was funded through a fellowship and grants from the Art and Humanities Research Council, the Sasakawa Foundation, and Arts Council England.
Click on the links below to access related research papers.