Designer Profiles

Ruth Tomlinson

The inspiration for Ruth’s most recent collections ‘Encrustations’, ‘Hoard’ and ‘The Thirteen Golden Rings’ comes from the history of jewellery and lifecycles in nature from birth to decay.

“I aim to create a narrative about a moment from the past, a hidden treasure leading the viewer to question the whereabouts of these jewels. I am also inspired by renaissance portraits of aristocracy displayed in all their riches, stories of ship wrecks and archaeological finds, romance and disaster, and by my immediate environment.”

The techniques and materials Ruth incorporates in her work have to date included general metalworking, casting, electroforming, stone setting and the inclusion of small–scale porcelain and glass. Ruth applies these techniques and materials to create jewellery that is at once strong and organic but retains a delicate and sensitive quality. She hopes to evoke a sense of wonder around her work that questions the idea of preciousness and to reveal hidden beauties often overlooked in a finished object.

Awards

  • June 2005 Theo Fennell prize for best jewellery design for MA show at the RCA
  • Dec 2003 Garrards Competition at the RCA, Short-Listed for the Diamond Collection
  • Mar 2003 Goldsmiths Craftsmanship & Design Awards. Commended
  • June 2001 New Designer of the Year, Business Design Centre Highly Commended
  • Qualification

  • MA in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork & Jewellery from the RCA
  • BA (Hons) in Three Dimensional Design from Manchester Metropolitan University
  • First Class Honours specializing in Jewellery Design