Iona Hall is a silversmith and jeweller, graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 2018 and Bishopsland in 2019. Hall’s passion for objects, in particular boxes, comes from the aspect of discovery that they hold. A box is an object that can fit in the palm of your hand, however once opened it can reveal a sentiment of treasure. In all her work she strives to achieve that compelling feeling that you must pick this object up, a keepsake that demands further exploration. These pieces are made to hold, to use and look from many angles as the design has been considered for both exterior and interior. Iona is drawn to textures and irregular patterns in natural forms from the beaches near her hometown in Scotland. Hall uses the techniques of chasing and repousse, scoring and folding and movement in her work. The jewellery is an abstraction of her larger work, isolating and developing elements from the boxes into a wearable object. Iona has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
Self-taught or art school?
I studied jewellery and silversmithing at Glasgow School of Art. I then spent a year doing a postgrad at Bishopsland Education Trust, where I focused mainly on box making.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
I would love to own an engraved beaker by silversmith Malcom Appleby. ‘Glenmorangie Beaker’
How would you describe your style?
My work is organic with irregular repetition and pattern. Linear marks are added to my objects replicating my style of drawings in my sketchbook. My jewellery is delicate, fluid and often has movement.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I start out by deciding on the shape and size of my object creating multiple paper models until I’m happy with the outcome. The decoration of the piece is my main focus. Lines, pattern and movement are taken from my observations and drawings from the beach. I pick out elements and repeat them across the paper models in pen. I then have my design to start making in metal, often testing things out on copper before going ahead with silver. My jewellery is often stemmed from abstracting an element I’ve created in my larger work.
Is narrative important within your work?
I like to think of my work, especially my objects as precious treasures or keepsakes. I love discovering and collecting items from my local coastline and aspire to bring that aspect of discovery to my work. However, I am more interested in the aesthetics over the narrative.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Friedensreich Hundertwasser because I love his use of line and colour. His paintings are very linear, imaginative and organic. And in metal, I love the work of Gerda Flockinger and Art smith. Their jewellery is organic but they have both taken a different approach; Gerda Flockinger uses fusion and melting the metal to create a textured surface and Art Smith creates shapes that are flowing and continuous. They were both highly influential in the jewellery movement during modernism.
http://www.artnet.com/artists/friedensreich-hundertwasser/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lizzieiom67/art-smith-jewellery/
What or who inspires your art?
I’m inspired by lines, movement and irregularity from my local beaches in Scotland. Sporadic placements on barnacles, the movement and clusters of seaweed clinging to the rocks, the natural placement of clusters of stones, markings in the rocks; organic shapes next to angular lines, rigs corners and grid structures. I love collecting objects from the beach and studying them, isolating an element from the object and adding it to the objects I make.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My studio is in a shared wood and metal workshop. The jewellery workshop is a room upstairs that I share with my friend from art school.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Lots of cups of tea and always having a selection of chocolates and sweets to snack on.
What are you working on currently?
A playing card box and triangular salt and pepper shakers.
Where can we buy your art?
Through my website (www.ionahall.com), or by contacting me through Instagram (@ionahalljewellery) or email (ionaahall@hotmail.com).