Summary

Alison Jackson is a Gold and Silversmith. Combining traditional silversmithing techniques with a contemporary aesthetic, Alison produces a range of one-off and limited edition hollowware and jewellery pieces. Her designs are characterised by simplicity, functionality and playful quirky twist.

Organisation

Alison Jackson

Inspiration/Method

I am intrigued by the way people interact with their objects. How an object shapes a space, influences an environment and becomes part of an experience. Functional tactile objects, like tableware, can reinvent a space; dictate the way people behave and create a unique experience.

My hollowware explores concepts surrounding the use of silver in the everyday. With functionality as a central theme to all my pieces, I seek to explore the integration of contemporary silver tableware pieces within the everyday tableware context.

My current work is focused on the use of traditional silversmithing fabrication techniques alongside industrial processes. With functionality and every day use as core themes within my practice, development of my production methods allows me to reach wider audiences and the more readily integrate my unique pieces into people’s daily experiences. Ultimately developing unique, long lasting tableware pieces that influence and shape the space they are presented in.

Design Challenge

The Tableware Collection investigates the fusion of traditional silversmithing fabrication techniques with production friendly industrial processes without compromising on quality.

The design challenge was to develop unique functional tableware pieces, incorporating traditional silversmithing techniques, which are available to a wide audience at an affordable price.
In order to meet the design challenge I spent significant time researching and prototyping each product entirely by hand. Several of these prototypes were then further developed to incorporate industrial processes suited to streamlined production. This development also expanded the possibilities of different, non-traditional silversmithing materials, particular stainless steel.

Each of the products has been designed to continue to employ hand fabrication at some level. The copper vessels, candlestick catcher, soup spoons and tea tin have all been hand fabricated. Little Spoons and Butter Knife have made use of industrial process such as folding and hydraulic pressing, however each of these process are still done by hand with individually handmade tooling.

This design challenge has extended the possibilities of my work, without compromising on quality or my core principle to continue to produce hand crafted tableware pieces with traditional silversmtihing methods.