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Karen Westland

  • Silversmith
  • Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • Rising Star
Karen Westland Silversmith
© All rights reserved

The scientist of metalwork

  • • Karen only uses recycled or fair-mined materials
  • • She is inspired by scientific equipment built to explore outer space
  • • Rod Kelly and Clive Burr were among the masters who taught her

Karen Westland has been working in three dimensions for as long as she can remember. At school she would make sculptural objects out of paper clips, shells, beads and anything she could get her hands on, but it was only when she attended a summer class at the Glasgow School of Art that she became curious about metal. Hammer work is important in what she does, “whether to hand raise vessels or to gently tap a wooden block onto metal to smooth out an area of misbehaving silver sheet”. Also important is the ability to design with pencil and on the computer. But what Karen is really passionate about is the sustainability of her work, making objects using recycled metals, offcuts from local suppliers and ethically sourced gemstones.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Karen Westland
  • © Karen Westland
  • © Karen Westland
  • © Karen Westland
  • © Karen Westland
Photo: © Karen Westland
Gravitational Caddy Spoon

This pressed spoon with a contrasting handle cast in a geometric design was crafted using 100% recycled precious metals. Karen is preoccupied with sustainability, using only responsibly sourced materials. She is also inspired by the “tools” built to explore outer space, and how they reveal the invisible.

Height 2.5 cm
Length 7 cm
Depth 4.5 cm

Photo: © Karen Westland
Gravitational Pull Goblet

A gilt cup fashioned from recycled sterling silver was set in the top of this miniature goblet with a lattice design. Karen is inspired by the “tools” used to explore outer space, and how they explore the invisible. The underlying subjects of her work are our relationship with the universe, time and our existence.

Height 12 cm
Diameter 8 cm

Photo: © Karen Westland
Transmissive Boxes

Using recycled silver, Karen created these handmade bezel-fitted boxes with scored and folded details on the lids. One of her main preoccupations is the origin of her materials, ensuring that they are 100% recycled or responsibly sourced.

Height 3 cm
Diameter 5 cm
Height 8 cm
Length 10 cm
Depth 4.5 cm

Photo: © Karen Westland
Transmissive Teaspoons

Karen decorated the handles of these hand-cast recycled silver spoons with textured gilt details. One of her main preoccupations is sustainability and the origin of her materials, ensuring that they are 100% recycled or responsibly sourced.

Height 2 cm
Length 10 cm
Depth 3 cm

Photo: © Karen Westland
Transmissive Vase

This vase crafted from recycled sterling silver was hand scored and folded with different wire-like designs on either side. Karen’s main preoccupation is sustainability, ensuring that her materials are 100% recycled or responsibly sourced.

Height 14 cm
Length 16 cm
Depth 6 cm

Enjoy an experience with Karen Westland

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