RJM XVII: Scotland, 2022
The RJM Scotland project was initiated by The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT), and brought together six schools from across the country including The Glasgow School of Art, City of Glasgow College, Edinburgh College of Art, Fife College, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and Glasgow Kelvin College. The work of SGT focuses on promoting and supporting the education, art, and craft of Scotland’s gold and silversmithing heritage and trade. In recent years, their work has expanded with the creation of the Ethical Making Program to support the adoption of responsible and sustainable practices in Jewelry and Silversmithing. RJM was a way to advance this new mission and get more students involved! During the project, SGT hosted its fourth annual ethical-making symposium, ChangeMaking. The event took place at the City of Glasgow College and focused on innovative design strategies and alternative sourcing methods. RJM co-director, Susie Ganch, participated in this vital event sharing how jewelers might move forward and evolve their practices in sustainable ways while participating in the sustainable jewelry movement. The project received 58 donations of unwanted jewelry from across the country and 71 jewelry participants generously remade this community-mined material into 73 new pieces! The exhibition of Madeover work took place at Princess Square in Glasgow.
Participating Institutions
The Scottish Goldsmith Trust (Organiser)
The Glasgow School of Art
City of Glasgow College
Edinburgh College of Art
Fife College
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design Glasgow Kelvin College
“RJM is a great way to recover all the unworn, unloved, unfashionable and broken jewellery – or pieces that are no longer your style – that are lurking at the bottom of boxes, bags and drawers and give it a fresh chance to glitter. The project highlights the creativity of Scotland’s makers and designers, while raising awareness and inspiring action around climate change, fast fashion and sustainability. Combining responsible material sourcing with innovative design transforms how and why we make and creates a sustainable, stronger legacy of making for the future.”
Karen Westland, Programme Manager: Ethical Making, The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust