Annie Ruthven-Taggart works in fair trade precious metals and semiprecious stones to create three-dimensional sculptural forms inspired by marine life and geological structures. Hand cut watercolour paper shapes are milled on to fine silver and 18ct gold creating a graphic element to the work and echoing the sculptural forms. Particular attention is given to the interrelationships between elements, how they intersect and the harmony of composition between them. Miniature hinge mechanisms are used to create highly wearable jewellery with a fluidity of movement. Great attention is given to the finishing of each piece to compliment the delicacy of the surface textures. We are delighted to welcome Annie for her Elements debut, and bring you behind-the-scenes and into the studio for a look into her work and process of making.

Describe your journey to becoming a maker.

I initially embarked on a linguistic career studying Italian and French at Kent University and it was only during my year abroad, living in Venice, that I secretly wished all along, I had taken a more creative path in my career. My mother was a printmaker and painter so the artistic genes were destined to surface eventually, and so they did. I assembled a portfolio of drawings and a wealth of inspiration whilst out in Venice. After my graduation in Italian I started a new path via an Arts Foundation course at Central St Martins, followed by another degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Sir John Cass. The same year as graduating from the Cass I set up as a freelance designer jeweller with my own business and for the last 25 years I haven’t looked back, or ever wanted to do anything else.

What is your process of creating a new piece?

When creating new work it evolves organically, working from sketches and drawings I quickly move into paper and card maquettes. All my work has a very three dimensional quality so I design and problem solve best in metal.

What technique do you use most often while making? What interests you about this technique?

Due to the three dimensional nature of my designs, I use a technique called fly pressing to create hollow forms and shapes. This is a process I most experimented with whilst at college and consequently one of the first pieces of equipment I purchased for my studio was a fly press. I salvaged my own press from an old printing factory in Kent and it took two very strong people to lift into the car and even stronger volunteers to heave it up the stairs to my studio.

The other technique that I love to use is embossing roller mill textures on fine silver. This goes perfectly with fly pressing as surface patterns can first be applied to metal and then the metal can be pressed out into shapes without the surface texture being touched or effected. I love both the versatility that both these techniques give and the endless possibilities for experimentation and design development.

Where do you draw inspiration from in your work?

The main inspiration for my work is drawn from marine life and geological structures. Many holidays have been spent combing beaches and rock pools for inspiration whether it be the fossilised lines in pebbles, the surface textures on mussel and limpet shells or the ripples on the sand from the lapping tide. One particular shape may be used and transformed several times to evolve many different collections but enabling a cohesion of design and form.

How does material choice influence your work and the pieces you create?

Colour plays an important part in my work and gemstones, both precious and semi precious, influence my work all the time. I continuously search for shapes and colours in stones, which not only compliment my designs, but also inspire new work.

To learn more about Annie Ruthven-Taggart and her work, you can find her at @artgemsjewellery on Instagram and artgems.co.uk. Annie is one of fifty makers from across the UK taking part in this years’ digital Elements: A Festival of Jewellery, Silver and Gold.

Images and video courtesy of Annie Ruthven-Taggart