Sonia Cheadle wins Goldsmiths’ Fair Best New Design Award (Week Two)
LONDON, October 9, 2017 – London-based jeweller Sonia Cheadle has won the Goldsmiths’ Fair 2017 Best New Design Award (Week Two) for her exquisite Four Seasons Brooches comprising Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The series combines precious metals, diamonds and steel.
Announcing the prize, curator and journalist Corrine Julius drew attention to the brooches’ natural sense of movement and quiet elegance.
The series depicts and imitates the 365-day cycle of trees and how they dress and undress throughout the four seasons. The idea behind the brooches is to make the diamonds tremble or shake to mimic the actions of nature.
Summer, the most intricate of the four brooches, is made with 9ct gold, black rhodium plate, 18ct gold pieces, black diamond beads, pavé set diamonds, and a steel pin.
Summer Brooch by Sonia Cheadle. Image courtesy of the jeweller. “It’s an amazing accolade. I’m absolutely delighted to have been awarded, a touch overwhelmed but extremely proud. Recognition at this level verifies all the hard work and makes the months of problem-solving, technical challenges and countless models worthwhile. I embraced the challenge, pushed my creativity and enjoyed the process immensely. A new departure, new horizons, I’m excited and confident about what will come next,” said Cheadle upon receiving the £1,000 prize and a bottle of champagne.
Sonia Cheadle holds a BA (Hons) in Jewellery, Silversmithing & Allied Craft from the Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design. Her work has been exhibited throughout the UK and in Europe. Commissions and Awards include: Winner, Platinum Design Competition; Global Finalists, De Beers Diamond Competition; Commissioned ‘Trainers Prize’ Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes Ascot by De Beers. Cheadle is also the author of the book Mounting and Setting Stones, published by A&C Black.
London-based silversmith Rebecca de Quin was named runner-up for her exquisite Vase with Blue Collar. The two-part piece comprises a cylindrical silver vessel and a ‘collar’ in base metal with etched turquoise patination. Inspired by architecture, the two parts can be displayed in several ways – the smaller vessel can be placed within or outside of the ‘collar’.
De Quin holds a BA Hons in 3D Design from Middlesex Polytechnic and an MA Jewellery and Metalwork from the Royal College of Art. She has exhibited in the UK and internationally, including the V&A Museum, London; Goldsmiths’ Hall, London; Liang Yi Museum, Hong Kong; and Tresor Contemporary Crafts, Basel. Her work forms part of various important collections: the Crafts Council, the V&A Museum, Birmingham Museum, and the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Rebecca de Quin, Vase with Blue Collar. Image © The Goldsmiths’ Company. Photography by Richard Valencia
