Leeds-based jewellery artist Eliza Evans crafts each piece in her city-centre studio using traditional silversmithing techniques and recycled precious metals. Her work brings together her background in sculpture, love of the ancient world, and South East Asian heritage – making the classical contemporary through sustainable, ethical, intentional adornment.
Working in recycled silver and gold, and reclaimed pearls, Eliza’s work is inspired by studies in Classics and love of the Ancient World, Singaporean heritage, and training in sculpture and ceramics. The Dreamer Necklace is the piece that most represents all facets of my jewellery practice. In both ancient Roman and Chinese cultures, pearls have symbolised prestige, purity and religious devotion.
“In whichever medium I use, my work is always process-driven. Working with something tactile, for me, means learning about the material and developing the process in response to its qualities and behaviour. In working with metal, there is an element of reverence: the precious nature of silver and gold demands that they should be honoured and treated with the time, skills and attention they deserve.
Using finite (albeit recycled) resources pushes me to consider the intention and process of the pieces they become, that each piece is made consciously as an art piece, yet also as something to be worn and cherished. Using precious metal as a medium feels special – the process of manipulating molten metal as it cools is a delicate one, yet it is empowering. Taking something precious, hard, cold, and typically unyielding and being able to sculpt it almost as clay is a powerful skill; it builds a unique, reciprocal, relationship between the silversmith and the silver. In turn, this builds a relationship between metal and human, jewellery and wearer.”
In making the Dreamer Necklace, Eliza used self-developed techniques of manipulating molten recycled silver to create a silver ‘pebble’ chain. She hand-forged the T-Bar clasp from reclaimed silver, making it tactile and heavy, to elevate the clasp – typically made to be hidden or inconspicuous – as a design feature in itself. These recycled silver elements are then hallmarked and plated in 22ct gold – traditionally used in Singaporean jewellery. Eliza selects and assembles the pearls to form a balanced, curated piece, using traditional pearl silk and French wire, and double string and knot the pearls to ensure quality and longevity.
Eliza Evans’ jewellery will be for sale in the Gallery for the duration of the exhibition.
