qest summer 2013

Issue 28 Summer 2013

THE magazinE of THE quEEn ElizabETH scHolarsHip TrusT

In this issueAward for Excellence Coronation Festival Events New Scholars

s u p p o r T i n g E X c E l l E n c E i n b r i T i s H c r a f T s m a n s H i p

qEsT is THE cHariTablE arm of THE roYal WarranT HolDErs associaTion

QEST News

QEST Tops £2million in Funding Crafts People

his year, forty scholars received their certificates at

the annual Royal Warrant Holders Association’s luncheon. Since the charity was established in 1990, QEST has given £2million in funding to almost 300 talented craftsmen and women. This is a record amount and it has had, and continues to have, an impact upon individuals and British craftsmanship as a whole.

Sir Christopher Frayling, the guest of honour at the Royal Warrant Holders Association’s annual luncheon began by saying “Today is

the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty The Queen. It is the perfect day to celebrate and congratulate the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and its 300 craftsmen and women since 1990, the generosity of the Royal Warrant holders, £2 million so far and rising, and what together they all stand for”. Sir Christopher has held many prestigious appointments within the arts including Rector of the Royal College of Art and his speech emphasised his passion for arts and crafts; especially the importance of craftsmanship in education. Through a series of brief snapshots, he illustrated the theme of craftsmanship and how its relevance has had historical resonance whatever the age. He highlighted that many of the QEST scholarships have enabled craftspeople to take post graduate courses, high level apprenticeships and mentoring schemes to hone their ideas within communities of craftspeople. He quoted Walter Gropius’ manifesto for The Bauhaus school in 1919:

T Jenifer Emery President of the RWHA meets

Jessica Coleman, Mixed Media Textile Designer Four silversmiths were awarded scholarships to attend Rod Kelly’s fortnight course at his Shetland

Workshop. Rod, who himself was awarded a QEST scholarship in 2000 will teach gold inlaying, fine detailing and the subtleties of chasing

encouraging creative people to “turn to the crafts” with craft workshops that would help to re-energise the economy. The clarion call continued stating that the crafts, with increasing mechanisation and standardisation, would take on a whole new visibility and significance. He revealed his seminal moment, when, as a six year old in Ditchling, the art class were walked, crocodile fashion, to visit an elderly lady who spent a memorable morning at her loom demonstrating basic weaving techniques; he showed the piece of cloth that he wove at that art class. “It was only a few years ago when I helped to put on an exhibition of Ethel Mairet’s work with the Crafts Council, that I realised it must have been Ethel Mairet herself, the lady who taught Ghandi how to spin in the year she died,” Sir Christopher disclosed. “I took part in a film recently where various people in the arts reminisced about a single moment in primary school which had affected the whole direction of their lives and this was the one for me.”


The QEST Award for Excellence Sponsored by FattoriniTom Fattorini initiated the QEST Award for Excellence to acknowledge one of the QEST alumni for their lifelong commitment to their craft. He generously struck a silver medal and helped fund a monetary award.

Mel Howse was the first recipient of the award acknowledging her support of QEST over the years in a myriad of different ways, from giving her time at Goodwood to being actively involved in the Garfield Weston Canterbury Cathedral project. Her participation in QEST’s first debate at the Victoria and Albert Museum was very valuable as the presence of a maker craftsman ensured a practical edge for many attendees. Mel has taken the concepts of stained glass from traditional foundations and uses it in a thoroughly contemporary way and has thus ensured that young people remained engaged with an evolving craft.

“Within my company, we rely on craftspeople to design and create medals, emblematic jewellery and enamel badges. To see that level of passion for craft, every day, is indeed inspiring and I wanted to acknowledge the way that QEST scholars have made an impact,” explained Tom Fattorini.

The QEST scholars receive applause from the Royal Warrant holders

“Many of the scholars who were awarded their funding in the early years of QEST have done an enormous amount for their craft in terms of pushing barriers and inspiring others through training and mentoring,” said Tom Fattorini. “I wanted that drive

to be celebrated. The Japanese call these individuals “living treasures” for their lifelong commitment. I hope that after five years another Royal Warrant holder will pick up the mantle and enable this award to continue for years to come.”

Tom Fattorini of Thomas Fattorini, Jenifer Emery and Mel Howse with the newly minted medal

& Woodhouse, kindly ensured a fitting celebration on the opening evening for all those that had worked tirelessly against impossibly short deadlines to realise this assignment.

The octagonal building has glass on five sides and it was suggested that a trompe l’oeil of the sky would bring light and warmth into the structure which is nestled beneath mature trees. Sarah Hocombe, a fresco painter renowned for her celestial skies, painted a mural of a serene late afternoon sky on the circular ceiling. The choice of birds, swifts and swallows as well as the effects of light set the sky in late summer. The birds are small, as if flying high above the Palace Gardens and help to create a sense of scale and distance in the sky. “We had one particularly interesting technical challenge at the Summer House: the building is surrounded by trees and bright, beautiful,

Scholars Collaborate For The Coronation Festival

QEST Coronation Festival

The Royal Warrant Holders Association devised the initial concept to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of HM The Queen’s Coronation with two hundred Royal Warrant holders displaying the Best of British in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. QEST, the Association’s charity wanted to show how it has supported British crafts over the past two decades and had begun to prepare ideas for an exhibition stand.

In February it was suggested to Nick Farrow, chairman of QEST, that Buckingham Palace’s Summer House needed to be updated. Instantly he could see the benefit in having past scholars showing the range of their crafts in a legacy project that would remain for future generations to enjoy whilst commemorating the Coronation Festival.

With nearly three hundred QEST scholars it was difficult to nominate the artisans for this project. Most scholars are recognised

internationally as ambassadors of their craft and it was important that those selected reflected the unique atmosphere of the Summer House. Penny Bendall, a ceramics conservator; a Royal Warrant holder and a QEST Trustee was the ideal curator. She worked together with Julia Robinson from QEST, Shelley-Anne Claircourt QEST’s PR Officer and, with guidance from the Royal Household to ensure that everything chosen would not only be a fitting presentation of the scholars’ work but also something that will be cherished in future years.

Hare & Humphries, Royal Warrant holders, were responsible for painting and decorating the interior and exterior of the Summer House and for preparing the walls and ceiling for the artisans to commence painting. In addition, they undertook the necessary repairs to the actual building. Importantly too, Champagne G.H. Mumm together with one of their wine merchants, Walker

The Summer House within the grounds of Buckingham Palace

green grass. The greenery reflects the light and casts a green glow on the ceiling during the day,” explained Sarah. “We had to adjust our colours to neutralise this green cast. The ceiling will be lit with LED lights from time to time and again we needed to adjust colours in a slightly different way to make the sky work in this artificial light. It took a few days on site before we were able to decide what approach to take.”

Sarah used very high-quality artists’ water-based paints to decorate the ceiling. Many of the pigments in modern paints are the same as those that would have been familiar to muralists and fresco painters working hundreds of years ago. She used lapis-lazuli to accent the blue in the sky as it has a very particular, subtle quality. Lapis does not make a very opaque paint and so needed under-painting with another shade of blue before applying it; a tip she picked up when looking at Italian 12th century frescos during her QEST Scholarship.


Melissa White painting her mural inspired by John Wootton

Aidan McEvoy aligning the petals of the dining table

Daniel Meek completing the QEST plaque

A clock that has marked time for the past sixty years was taken by Tim Hughes to West Dean College where he is currently attending his final year. As his present internship is with the Horological Collections of The British Museum where he is studying methods and techniques of restoration and conservation, he was the perfect scholar to clean the Summer House’s clock.

Melissa White has a wealth of experience as a decorative painter or “painter-stainer” and her designs have been used by Royal Warrant holder William Sanderson & Son’s Zoffany brand. Melissa usually paints on plaster (fresco secco) and cloth but on this occasion she has painted on nine stretched canvas panels as the artwork needed to be removable. The central panel is reinforced to accommodate the clock and its casing.

In search of rolling landscape scenery Melissa discovered a series of three paintings by John

Wootton in the Royal Collection. She used these as the basis for a continuous scene to flow across all three walls of the Summer House.

“I had never heard of John Wootton until I started foraging in the Royal Collection online,” explained Melissa. “I was looking for English scenes of rolling landscape when I spotted two paintings by Wootton, both depicting views of Henley-on-Thames. After a long time searching for a scene to fill the third wall I came across a tiny black and white image of another Wootton landscape in an exhibition catalogue. It turned out this painting had once hung in the same room as the first two; it seemed serendipity to reunite them for this project.”

Undoubtedly the scale was daunting as Melissa has painted 22 square metres of wall in the form of nine canvas panels within a very short amount of time.


She had to take on the mind-set of a theatre’s scenic painter and think big and bold whilst imbuing the artwork with an attention to detail worthy of such a prestigious setting. “Normally I use pigments or natural house paints for large decorative artwork, (I never use oil based paints). For this commission I decided to use good quality acrylics and mediums so that I could guarantee their stability and longevity. Acrylics are so much more versatile when it comes to colour mixing so I’ve been on a chromatic journey of discovery,” explained Melissa.

Anthea Laing and Stephen Mills came together to re-upholster some of the existing furniture. A pair of highly individually designed armchairs, built out of rows of springs linked together to give maximum comfort and support to the body, were removed by Anthea and re-upholstered in Jean Monro’s Jubilee Bouquet; this is particularly apt, as a percentage of the sales of this vibrant fabric will be donated to QEST to fund future scholars. Anthea also used the same fabric to cover a fringed hood of a cane lounger. The floral linen with strong rose, sage and green accents was perfect for the garden setting and enabled various complimentary tones to be used for other chairs in the Summer House. Stephen Mills, currently working for Royal Warrant holder A.E. Chapman, was responsible for repairing a set of director chairs that are to be placed around a dining table.

Aidan McEvoy a talented furniture designer who combines traditional techniques with a contemporary feel, designed and made a dining table for six people, made with hand cut veneers of British walnut and cherry woods. He travelled to Lincolnshire to select the specific walnut that he wanted to use. Inspired by the petals of snow drops and crocus, the dark marble-cake mineral lines of the walnut spans out from the center of each of the six petals and curves back through the center of the table to form its legs; the walnut is balanced by the warm pinkish-brown tones of the cherry wood. Daniel Meek first came to QEST after several years as a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s stonemasonry team, restoring First and Second World War monuments throughout the British Isles. Previously, he had worked on some of the country’s major historic restoration projects, including those at St George’s Chapel, Windsor

Bob Johnston constructed a wicker corgi for the project


Castle, Norwich Cathedral and many of the Cambridge colleges. Daniel used his QEST scholarship to improve his letter carving skills, working with master stone carver and letter cutter Teucer Wilson. He has since completed a Foundation Degree in Calligraphy and Design at Kensington Palace. Daniel, who trained in stonemasonry at Bath, currently uses his unique talent to great effect by crafting stone bowls that he richly embellishes with his calligraphy cut into the stone; one of these will be on display. He was a natural choice to design and cut the commemorative plaque that will be permanently positioned outside the Summer House, commemorating QEST’s legacy to the whole project and acknowledging Hare & Humphrey’s generous support. First, Daniel used plugs and feathers – the traditional method of splitting stone – to remove a smaller piece required for the plaque from a very large three-tonne Woodkirk York

Matthew Warner attaches the handle to his hand thrown teacup

stone boulder. He then spent a few days shaping the stone and setting out his design – which incorporates a unique, flourished copperplate-style letter – before completing the task of precisely cutting the letters by hand.

Bob Johnston’s wicker designs attract much attention wherever they are shown. His talent is bringing out the character of his life size animals, whether it be a fully grown Aberdeen Angus bull, a wicker pig or, in this case, a quizzical corgi. Bob has constructed the corgi from a variety of different willows, all grown by himself, enabling him to vary the colour and texture of the animal. The corgi will bring a touch of informality to the Coronation Festival.

As the Summer House is an opportunity for QEST to show the extensive array of crafts that it has supported since 1990, it was decided to arrange an exhibition, with scholars producing one-off items that could be commissioned. “It was important to reflect the setting, whilst getting the tone right,” explained Penny Bendall, “and to show the exceptional

craftsmanship that QEST has supported over the decades.”

The crafts on display can be purchased and the scholars will donate 20% of any commissions placed during the Coronation Festival to QEST to help fund future scholarships. Zone Creations kindly made Perspex mounts, shelves and integral exhibition displays to ensure that all the products were given a secure and prominent platform to enable visitors to appreciate the fine details of the items presented. This Royal Warrant holder is a specialist in using Perspex to the best effect whether in furniture, retail displays or providing a cohesive approach to exhibitions.

Sophie D’Souza made stained glass panels with scenes from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Two ceramic bottles of milk, made by character designer and maker Jonathan Williams, complete with a hand painted blue tit pecking at the foiled lid, entitled the “milk thief”, continue the tea theme. Matthew Warner has thrown a 4-piece tea set in his signature white ceramic and Jay Heryet, who regularly exhibits her witty wood-turned tea pots in the USA, will capture the essence of a summer’s day in her unique teapot. Daniel Maier, a fine furniture designer and maker, who used his QEST scholarship to learn the art of gun engraving which he delicately inlays within his pieces, supplied a wooden tea caddy and occasional table. Grant McCaig, a silversmith who frequently exhibits for the Goldsmiths’ Fair supplied one of his signature silver spoons with a driftwood handle as a tea caddy spoon. Rachel Shaw has made a variety of Coronation confectionary that will be presented on a hand blown glass cake plate by Steven Newell.

Textile designer, Suzy Merrifield has made a cashmere throw picking up on the various colours used within the permanent designs of the Summer House. Deirdre Hawken has once again produced a stunning piece of “wearable art” with a headpiece depicting freshly harvested garden produce, whilst Lai Symes has created a more traditional summer hat.

Trevor Cain acquired a 1930’s dolls’ house made by Linen Bros. of Merton, Surrey. A range was built under the trademark Tri-ang as replicas of the miniature Welsh house that was given to the young Princess Elizabeth. Trevor has restored and furnished it; he scaled down the Jubilee Bouquet motif as a wallpaper and made miniature newspapers announcing the Coronation.


Sarah Hocombe commences painting the ceiling Deidre Hawken’s headpiece, “Just Picked”

Jenny Pickford’s allium came directly from the Chelsea Flower Show Eyizera Pheonix works on an illustration of the Summer House

Anthea Laing re-upholstered several chairs in Jean Munro’s Jubilee Bouquet fabric


Exhibiting scholars:

ceramicDog bowls: Mia SarosiMilk bottles: Jonathan WilliamsTea set: Matthew Warner conservationBookbinding: Mary FrenchClock: Tim Hughes foodCakes: Rachel ShawHoney: James Hamill glassEnamel umbrella stand: Mel HowseCake stand and vase: Steven NewellStained glass panels: Sophie D’Souza leatherBriefcase: Mia SabelHand bags and jewellery: Katherine PogsonHorse head and leather vase: Mary Wing To

Scissor’s case: Tiffany ParkinsonShoes (a child’s pair): Deborah Carré metalBicycle: Robin MatherCaddy spoons: Grant McCaigForged allium: Jenny PickfordJewellery-micro pavé diamonds: Jessica PoolePewter bowls: Gordon W. RobertsonSilver place card holders: Jennifer Gray paintDecorative painter: Melissa WhiteFresco painter: Sarah Hocombe paperDigital botanical illustrations: Niki SimpsonSummer House illustration: Eyizera Pheonix stoneCommemorative plaque: Daniel MeekCalligraphy stone bowl: Daniel MeekCherub: Teresa DybiszGlobe: Will Davies

Horse head: Tom NichollsPortrait of HRH The Prince of Wales & two other works in progress: Richard Mossman TextilesHead piece: Deidre HawkenKnitted throw: Suzy MerrifieldRestored directors chairs: Stephen MillsSummer hat: Lai SymesUpholstered chairs: Anthea Laing WickerBasket: Susan EarlyCorgi: Bob JohnstonPicnic hamper & wine holder: Roy Youdale WoodCello: Charles CollisDining table & jewellery box: Aidan McEvoyDolls’ house (restored): Trevor CainCleft oak for outdoor furniture: Garry LewisTea caddy & occasional table: Daniel MaierViola: Shem MackeyWood turned teapot: Jay Heryet

To make the most of the garden, QEST scholar Garry Lewis was responsible for splitting the English Oak to enable three sets of outdoor furniture to be made by Royal Warrant holder Winterborne Zelston Fencing, who kindly loaned the pieces to QEST for the duration of the Festival. Pieces of sculpture have been placed in the immediate vicinity, including Will Davies’ Globe made from Kilkenny stone; Teresa Dybisz’s cherub for which she received the Worshipful Company of Masons’ stone carving prize and, each day throughout the Festival, Richard Mossman will sculpt a portrait to demonstrate the process from the raw stone to the finished and polished state of his bust of HRH The Prince of Wales. Jenny Pickford, an artist blacksmith who incorporates hand blown glass within her designs has brought her gigantic sculptural allium directly from Chelsea Flower Show for display beneath the trees. Robin Mather’s handmade bicycle will be given a prominent position; although it might be difficult to persuade the QEST chairman that it is not his personal mode of transport around the Festival.

Garry Lewis of Winterborne Zelston Fencing splitting English Oak

Mappin & WebbMark Appleby, has had more than 30 years’ experience with Royal Warrant holders, currently with Mappin & Webb and previously with Aspreys and Garrards. He has recently joined QEST’s panel of skills advisors to assist the trustees reviewing applications from potential scholars. Each skills advisor brings specialist knowledge of their craft as well as experience of education within their specific sector. Mappin & Webb first received their Royal Warrant of appointment in 1897 and still maintain the warrants as silversmiths to both Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales.

Mark set up the jewellery workshop for Mappin & Webb fifteen years ago. The London workshop carries out repairs, restoration, renovations and special commissions for all types of jewellery, whether it be antique or modern designs. His association with QEST came through personal contacts within the diamond trade and when Mark was approached by QEST trustee Fiona Rae to help with the increasing number of scholarship applications, he was delighted to assist on behalf of Mappin & Webb. Since he began this spring, the

QEST News

An Illumination Presented to Pope FrancisThe Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby met Pope Francis in an historic meeting in Rome on 14th June to affirm the bonds of “friendship” and “love” between Roman Catholics and Anglicans. Archbishop Justin presented the Holy Father with an illumination on vellum of The Pope’s motto - ‘Miserando atque eligendo’. This personal gift was designed and made by QEST scholar Christabel Anderson. The motto, meaning lowly but chosen (literally in Latin, ‘by having mercy, by choosing him’) is a quote from an English Church Father, the Venerable Bede, whose ‘Ecclesiastical History’ charts the union of the different strands of British Christianity relating in and through Rome to the Universal Church. Christabel’s design for the illuminated letter M was inspired by the earliest historiated initial in European illumination, which is in the Saint Petersburg Bede, and the gilded lettering was inspired by the Codex Amiatinus.

company are now looking at more ways that the two organisations can collaborate, from funding a scholarship, to assisting with apprenticeships or just being someone in the industry to give advice to a scholar embarking upon a promising career.

Archbishop Welby presents Pope Francis with a personal gift© Vatican Pool – Getty Images

OD12, next to Marquee BCoronation Festival

mappinandwebb.com

Qest Ad_Amended.indd 1 31/05/2013 12:08


Mappin & Webb supporting QEST

QEST News

Wizardry in WoodJoey Richardson, a woodturner, received funding from the Worshipful Company of Carpenters to learn how to cast her wooden forms in glass. She spent eight inspirational days in the USA learning every stage of the casting process. Her first three pieces were displayed at the Wizardry in Wood at Carpenters’ Hall and the SOFA (Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art) Expo in Chicago. In June she participated in two panel discussions at the symposium for the Association of American Woodturners Growing Through Collaboration and Development. “Experimenting with mixed media and the sharing of skills to make new and exciting works is, I believe, the way forward to keeping our traditional crafts alive,” said Joey.www.joeyrichardson.com

Joey Richardson at the lathe

Power Brands The first QEST Marketing Seminar was held at the Carpenters’ Hall in the City of London. David Gates, Global Category Director, Whiskies, Diageo; Mark Henderson, QEST trustee and Chairman of Gieves & Hawkes; Mia Sabel, QEST scholar and leather designer and saddlemaker and Jill Webb, Brand Development Director of Conran and Company spoke about the importance of brands. “What was very pleasing was that of the 150 attendees, sixty were scholars and 80% were makers. We received extremely positive feedback, with many saying how thought provoking the event was,” commented Nick Farrow, chairman of QEST and organiser of the event. “We were very grateful for the Carpenters’ Company who so generously put their fabulous Hall at our disposal and of course the speakers who gave their time so willingly to inspire others in their craft careers.”

Mark Henderson addresses the seminar

Qest DevilsQEST scholars, Mia Sabel and Mel Howse raised £1,000 for QEST by completing a 13,000 ft tandem skydive with the Red Devils. Both scholars thoroughly enjoyed the experience of free-falling 120 mph for 45 seconds followed by a five minute canopy ride. The tickets were won at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2012.

Left to Right: Mel Howse and Mia Sabel


Gently Nurturing OakThe 5,000 year old Fenland Black Oak was dug out of Norfolk farmland and ten planks were cut from the tree (also known as bog oak) in September 2012. They were placed in a specially built kiln at the Building Crafts College on the 6th November 2012 and this first stage of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters’ project is nearing completion.

“It is looking very good,” said Steve Cook, the QEST scholar apprenticed to Hamish Low responsible for drying the wood. “By the end of May, we had removed 1,500 litres/330 gallons of water that is 3.3 gallons of water per cubic foot of timber, with weeks still to go. It currently has a moisture content of between 15% and 19%. It needs to be just below 10% before we will be happy to remove the boards.” The process of drying relies upon keeping the airflow constant and creating an environment whereby the water is extracted whilst the wood remains stable. Twice a day three dehumidifying units are emptied, temperatures recorded, probes measure the moisture content and the drying speed is calculated. As the kiln is outside, other elements need to be factored, such as weather change. Bog oak expert and cabinetmaker Hamish Low is the most experienced person in the country in successfully drying this precious material but admits that the sheer scale of these timbers has thrown up new challenges. When the 44 feet long planks are ready to be worked, Steve and Hamish will write an educational paper detailing the entire process and how it can be applied to other native timbers that have traditionally been difficult to dry.

Steve Cook’s scholarship was part-funded by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in 2012.www.thefenlandblackoakproject.org.ukwww.stevecookfurniture.co.uk

Steve Cook shows Jenifer Emery President of the RWHA examples of the finished bog oak

QEST News

There is a natural synergy between QEST and NADFAS, both organisations focus on heritage skills in the decorative arts and conservation. Merlyn Griffiths is an exemplar. She has retained a passion for the beauty of stained glass since aged fourteen but it was writing her dissertation on a window within York Minister that encouraged her to pursue a career in conservation. With NADFAS’ support, Merlyn will take a two year MA in “Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management” at the University of York. www.nadfas.org.uk

Jenifer Emery President of the RWHA with Merlyn Griffiths

Champagne G.H.MummChampagne G.H.MUMM will be collaborating with award winning calligrapher, QEST scholar and Royal Warrant holder, Sally Mangum to create bespoke labels to celebrate the 60th anniversary of H.M. The Queen’s Coronation. Just six vintage G.H.MUMM Cordon Rouge N.V. Magnums will be created, one of which will be presented to The Queen. The remainder will be auctioned to fund future QEST scholarships. G.H.MUMM is kindly supporting QEST on the opening night of the Coronation Festival when the scholars’ work within the Summer House will be unveiled. Company contact details: Pernod Ricard UKWebsite: www.ghmumm.com

Enjoy G.H.MUMM Responsibly

Naturally NADFAS

Sally Mangum Calligrapher


THE HOUSE OF G.H.MUMM ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP TRUST IN CELEBRATION OFTHE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

Chairman & TrusteeNick FarrowFarrows Ltd

TrusteesPenny BendallBendall Ceramic Conservation

Mark HendersonGieves and Hawkes Ltd

Sally MangumCalligrapher

Fiona RaeGoldsmith and Enameller

Neil Stevenson NEJ Stevenson

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust 1 Buckingham PlaceLondon SW1E 6HR general enquiriesTel 020 7828 2268Email [email protected]

media enquiries Shelley-Anne ClaircourtTel 020 7854 1827Email [email protected]

www.qest.org.uk

QEST Scholars join us at LinkedIn/QEST

Follow us on twitter @QESTcraft

Who’s who at Qest

QEST Information

Registered Charity No. 1152032Designed and Printed by www.farrows.co.uk

Honorary Treasurer & Trustee Alec McQuinRokill Ltd

President RWHAJenifer EmeryEdward Goodyear Ltd

SecretaryRichard Peck

Magazine EditorShelley-Anne Claircourt

ManagerVictoria Churchward

RWHA & QEST AdministratorTouran Reddaway

Development AssistantJulia Robinson

Finance ControllerElena Davies

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

QEST CRAFT AWARDS

In April the Department for Media Culture and Sports issued a paper on classifying and measuring the creative industries; it proposed the removal of “crafts” as a recognised category. QEST joined the debate and after much lobbying it has been officially accepted that craft does play a crucial role within the creative industries. For us at QEST, this has never been without doubt. The Summer House project has more than 45 scholars involved in showcasing the best of British crafts at the Coronation Festival. In every case, these talented individuals have designed, then made, each product or image with their own hand. In most cases scholars run their own businesses and are responsible for their own marketing, purchasing supplies, designing and ensuring completion on deadline, from raw material to polished product. It could not have been better expressed than through the series of images presented by Daniel Meek, showing the huge boulder that he had to split to produce the slither of York stone, which he worked with his

calligraphic design and then cut the letters to produce the plaque for the Summer House. This one stone holds all the enthusiasm and passion of the scholars involved in this legacy project.

Best wishes, Nick Farrow

o you know someone who could benefit from a QEST Award?

Scholarships from £1,000 up to £18,000 are awarded twice a year to craftsmen and women with exceptional talent to enable them to advance their education and skills in modern and traditional crafts in the UK. The scholarships are open to all ages and even for those embarking upon a second career. The trustees look for well thought out projects that highlight applicants’ passion and commitment to their craft. Since 1991, the Trust has awarded £2 million to 296 artisans, confident that they will contribute to the pool of talent in the UK and reflect the excellence of British craftsmanship as symbolised by the Royal Warrant of Appointment.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, was established in 1990 with money contributed by its members, to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Association.

To find out more and apply on line, visit the QEST website at www.qest.org.uk

D

Nick Farrow Chairman of QEST (centre) introduces Kate Earlam, silversmith to Sir Christopher Frayling, the guest of honour at the RWHA Annual luncheon

THE magazinE of THE quEEn ElizabETH scHolarsHip TrusTs u p p o r T i n g E X c E l l E n c E i n b r i T i s H c r a f T s m a n s H i p

In this issueIntroducing 22 New Scholars including a Silversmith, Tailor, Jeweller, Carver & Metalsmith

qEsT is THE cHariTablE arm of THE roYal WarranT HolDErs associaTion

New Scholars Summer 2013

QEST New Scholars

SCOTT BENEFIELDGlassmaker QEST Eranda Scholar

Scott is an accomplished glassblower and has been practising since 1990 in New Orleans, Seattle and now in Northern Ireland. Coloured glass rods are commercially available allowing glassmakers to introduce colour to their work. They are inherently limiting. By understanding the complex glass colour chemistry and becoming familiar with the mixing and melting processes, glass can be made with a wider range of hue and saturation. This is no longer taught in most glass programmes. QEST will fund Scott’s participation in Peter Vanderlaan’s intensive workshop.

FLETT BERTRAM Embroidered Textile Designer QEST Hedley Scholar

Flett attained a BA in Fashion Design Technology specialising in Surface Textiles for Womenswear from the London College of Fashion. She received the Hand & Lock international embroidery prize for her final project in 2010. Flett worked within the commercial sector to learn the economics of fashion design and is now determined to find a way to make British textile embellishment, such as embroidery, more affordable and accessible. QEST will enable Flett to complete her MA: Mixed Media Textiles at the Royal College of Art.

HOLLIE WHITE Cordwainer QEST Scholar

Hollie is currently studying the MA Fashion Footwear degree at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion. Her QEST award will enable her to complete the course and focus on the design and making of a collection of eight pairs of shoes. Hollie’s work is inspired by ad hoc principles; she takes everyday objects and discarded materials to create high end footwear and has included laminated newspapers and leather composite within her designs.

HELENA CURRY Sculptor QEST Scholar

Helena completed a BA course in Character Creation and Technical Effects and has been working as a freelance model maker in the special effects industry. Helena returned to further education after working as an assistant to sculptor Brian Alabaster at his Suffolk foundry where she learnt the ancient technique of lost wax casting and finishing life size, fine art bronze garden sculptures. QEST will enable her to learn the advanced techniques on Andrew Sinclair’s series of courses that, combined with her practical skills, will feed her passion for sculpting and add to her formidable portfolio of work. www.helenacurry.co.uk


JOCELYN DANBY Saddler Weston Scholar

Following a successful career as a Riding Instructor and later an Equine Veterinary Nurse and Stable Manager, Jocelyn followed her interest in saddlery and bridle-making to become a qualified saddler in 2011. QEST will enable Jocelyn to learn the art of sidesaddle restoration and manufacture with sidesaddle specialist Richard Godden at the Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury and to become more skilled in flocking and alteration of astride saddles which will enhance her saddle fitting techniques.www.danbyequestrian.com

KATE EARLAM Silversmith Jeweller QEST Scholar

Kate has recently launched her own range of contemporary jewellery and is fast gaining an international reputation for silver engraving. From her workshop in the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell she works to commission and makes pieces for sale either at exhibitions or through galleries. Kate received the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Young Designer Silversmith Award 2012 for a silver fruit bowl (now in the Museum of Scotland), whilst an intricately engraved silver beaker is on display in the Silver Galleries of the Victoria and Albert Museum. QEST will fund Kate’s participation on Rod Kelly’s fortnight course at the Shetland Workshop where she will develop her silversmithing skills.

NICOLA WATSON Saddler and Bespoke Leather Worker QEST Saddlers’ Company Scholar

For the past twenty years Master Saddler Nicola has practised as a saddle, harness and bridle maker. She repairs, restores and manufactures bespoke saddlery and bridlework, as well as most leather goods including hand-stitched belts, watch straps, bags, cases, dog collars and leads. She also enjoys refurbishing antiques such as gun cases and luggage. Nicola is passionate about sidesaddle riding and her scholarship will bring her closer to her goal of becoming a sidesaddle specialist. She will attend courses by the semi-retired and much in demand sidesaddle specialist, Richard Godden. www.nicolawatsonleatherwork.co.uk

SARAH EDWARDS Leather Goods Designer & Maker QEST Leathersellers’ Company Scholar

Sarah left her previous career to follow her dream to learn to make shoes. Through her work experience with Jimmy Choo Couture she discovered her passion for leather and expanded her knowledge to design and make hand-stitched leather goods. With QEST’s support, Sarah will attend courses in traditional hand-stitched leatherwork with MacGregor and Michael and, together with one-to-one tuition from master shoemakers John Cornforth and Tony Slinger, she will learn new design, construction and finishing techniques. www.francesgeorge.com

QEST New Scholars

MERLYN GRIFFITHS Stained Glass Conservator QEST NADFAS Scholar

Merlyn is currently a paid intern at the York Glaziers Trust where she is gaining a practical knowledge of conservation whilst handling and working with the medieval glass at York Minister. The “QEST NADFAS scholarship for heritage skills in decorative arts and conservation” will enable Merlyn to take a two year MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management at the University of York. When this academic grounding in conservation is combined with the practical experience she is currently gaining from the Glaziers Trust, she will have the crucial experience needed to achieve her goal of becoming a stained glass conservator.Photograph ©York Glaziers Trust

LUCIE GRAHAM Natural History Conservator QEST J. Paul Getty Jr. Charitable Trust Scholar

Lucie was a conservator for the Hunterian Museum and the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology’s collections, both of which come under the jurisdiction of the Royal College of Surgeons. Before this she undertook an ICON Internship in Natural History Conservation and Collections Care at the Natural History Museum, London and The Lancashire Conservation Studios, Preston. Her QEST scholarship will facilitate a further year’s training under James Dickinson prior to his retirement in 2014. This unique opportunity will enable Lucie to acquire skills that are in danger of becoming completely lost as few people are training in this sector.

Photograph ©Lancashire Museums Service

NICK GILL Typefounder and Letterpress Printer Weston Scholar

Nick works as a compositor, printer and type caster at Hand & Eye Letterpress in Whitechapel. In addition he volunteers at the Type Archive, Stockwell, where he is one of only two people in the world proficient in manufacturing matrices for use in Monotype Composition casters, and is learning to cut Monotype punches. QEST will enable Nick to spend a month with Micah Currier, the proprietor of the Dale Guild Type Foundry in the USA, one of the few able to pass on the knowledge of maintaining the Type Archive’s Victorian and early 20th century typefounding machines, as well as engraving matrices for new typefaces.


ROBIN MATHER Bicycle Designer and Maker Weston Scholar

Robin designs and builds bespoke bicycles. The frames are entirely handmade and finished by hand. He received the prestigious “Best of Show” award at Bespoked 2012, a trade exhibition showing the work of the finest small independent hand-built bicycles in the UK. With his QEST award, Robin will attend a one-to-one course with Mike Flanigan near Boston, USA; acknowledged as the industry’s authority on Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. Using this skill for the construction of bicycle frames will enable more utilitarian bikes and the quicker production time will more than double Robin’s output. www.robinmathercycles.co.uk

LIDA MARINKOVAMixed Media Textile Designer Weston Scholar

Lida Marinkova is a young artist based in London who creates unusual structures, surfaces and forms; frequently resulting in organic art pieces resembling landscapes and micro structures. The QEST scholarship will support Lida in the final year of her MA in Textiles: Mixed Media at the Royal College of Art where she will gain an advanced technical knowledge of specialist skills, techniques and an awareness of new technology in an environment that offers freedom and creative space for experimentation.www.lidamarinkova.com

RYAN McCLEAN Silversmith QEST Scholar

Ryan is inspired by the fluid dynamics of science and the golden ratio of bee storage pods and self-organising patterns in nature. He uses a variety of traditional techniques such as hand raising and forging to construct a piece and decorate it with either etching or chasing. He constantly experiments and pushes the boundaries as he develops his work. Six years ago, he was taught chasing by Rod Kelly at Bishopsland and has used the technique since. QEST will enable Ryan to participate in Rod Kelly’s course in the Shetland Workshop and perfect fine detailing. www.ryanmccleansilver.co.uk

KATE MONTAGNE Architectural Sculptor QEST Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholar

Kate has worked as a modeller and sculptor’s assistant in clay and cast plaster with the respected architectural sculptor, Geoffrey Preston in Devon. QEST will enable Kate to embark upon a two year apprenticeship with him where she will be able to consolidate her sculptural skills and focus on practising modelling in clay and also in stucco, a rare technique in which Geoffrey Preston is one of the country’s few specialists.

QEST New Scholars

STEPHEN SHOEBRIDGE Tailor QEST Scholar

Stephen’s original background was in historic building conservation but after a lifetime interest in sewing and textiles, and several years of related courses, he decided upon a change of career. He began by running a small workshop taking clothing alterations and repairs. This progressed to making a ready-to-wear range of men’s and women’s garments using tweed produced by a small company in the Hebrides. QEST will enable Stephen to study at the Savile Row Academy, London. This unique training facility established five years ago, was initiated to preserve, teach and develop the historic skills of traditional English hand crafted tailoring at the highest level.

ELIZABETH PEERS Silversmith QEST Scholar

Elizabeth is an accomplished silversmith and has completed her first major commission for The Weavers Company. Her previous experience was as part of the Richard Fox workshop team manufacturing trophies, primarily for Formula One as well as commissioned work such as 150 Emily’s –Spirit of Ecstasy for Rolls-Royce. This ensured that Elizabeth learned the basics of plating, electro-forming and polishing. The QEST scholarship will enable Elizabeth to attend the two week Shetland Workshop run by Rod Kelly. There she will learn the techniques of gold inlaying, the art of large soldering and observe the subtleties in chasing. www.elizabethauriolpeers.com

GORDON W. ROBERTSON Metalsmith QEST Scholar

Gordon is an accomplished metalsmith working in copper, brass and zinc, but principally in pewter. He produces tableware, furniture and surfaces which he richly embellishes with etching. He has also developed a range of jewellery. He won three awards in Pewter Live 2012 with the judges noting that his was the finest and original contemporary pewter-ware seen. QEST will help to increase Gordon’s knowledge and skills in metalwork, especially pewter, by funding his partnership with Wentworth and Sons in Sheffield, where he will harness traditional skills with emerging digital technologies.www.gordonwrobertson.com

LAUREN ELIZABETH TIDD Jeweller Weston Scholar

Lauren is a graduate of Birmingham School of Jewellery and has combined working within a fast paced independent jeweller with launching her own brand of exclusive and highly bespoke contemporary gem orientated jewellery, fusing her two passions, gemmology and goldsmithing.

With QEST’s support, Lauren will attend the New Approach School for Jewellers in the USA where she will embrace new technology to learn professional stone setting techniques and innovative concepts. No course is offered on the same scale or quality in the UK and Lauren intends to learn a skill that she can bring back and practice in this country. www.lauren-elizabeth.co.uk

SARAH WARSOP Jeweller Weston Scholar

Sarah embarked upon her new vocation as a jewellery designer and maker after a successful career as a dance artist, choreographer and teacher. The notation that she uses in her designs could not have arrived without Sarah’s history of movement and mark making. Sarah captures in jewellery the complexities and characteristics of human action and precisely scales that down to be worn on a moving body. Anticlastic forming is a physical process concerned with working and moving the metal to create exceptionally dynamic forms. The QEST award will enable Sarah to study with Benjamin Storch, one of the main exponents of this skill. www.sarahwarsop.com

STEPHEN TOMLIN Green wood carver QEST Adam Connolly Memorial Fund Scholar

Stephen designs and makes a range of practical goods for the home from unseasoned (green) timber with an emphasis on carved domestic kitchenware, including carved eating, cooking and serving spoons, carved bowls and containers. Each piece is individually made using hand tools and designed to be beautiful whilst fulfilling its functional role. With funding from QEST, Steve spent three weeks learning from the Swedish master carver, Fritiof Runhall, recognised as the inspiration for contemporary spoon carvers in the UK. He also studied historical examples of domestic wood craft and visited Ramon Persson, a woodworker specialising in containers made from painted birch bark. www.stevetomlincrafts.wordpress.com

SOPHIE STAMP Jeweller and Silversmith QEST Scholar

Sophie runs her own London based studio practice designing and making contemporary jewellery and smallware from silver and gold. She also runs a successful freelance enterprise assisting several highly regarded jewellery practitioners and has recently been accepted on ‘Hothouse’, the Crafts Council’s supportive six month mentoring scheme for emerging makers. Sophie attended Rod Kelly’s three day chasing masterclass at Bishopsland Educational Trust, where she was studying and will now join three other QEST scholars at his fortnight course at the Shetland Workshop to further her practical skills. www.sophiestamp.co.uk


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STAND SP52 AT THE CORONATION FESTIVALSupporting the QEST Magazine

qest summer 2013

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