PAST EVENT
An Introduction to Japanese Decorative Metalwork – held 9th June 2025
In-person and Zoom audience.
Professor Sandra Wilson gave a most interesting talk on Japanese metalwork, which focussed on design and special precious metals, and some of the great families who have carried on these skills for many generations. Sandra is an Emerita in recognition of her career in teaching and research but has worked hands-on with some of the finest artists and experts in this field, some of whom have been awarded supreme awards recognised by the profession and the Japanese government, namely being appointed as National Treasures.
She brings to the subject something beyond merely telling the story of the historical development of design in Japan and with metal, especially valuable metals. Sandra is an international authority on the subject but is herself an internationally recognised practising artist in the field and has produced many wonderful pieces which show her blending her own skills and designs with a Japanese influence. Her presentation showed clearly, that to understand this art form, it is not enough to have read and written about it, but to do this from the use of tacit knowledge which can only be acquired through working in and with the metals and the practitioners who guard the knowledge for future generations.
Her presentation was fascinating, and her visuals were superb, especially the explanations of how colouring was achieved and how recycling metals from mobile phones is being urged. In a real bonus, she encouraged members to actually use some of her specialist tools with some metal. It was a treat to see our new Consul, Masataka Abe, himself an engineer, enthusiastically picking up the tools and applying them to the metal provided.
Professor Sandra Wilson’s social media accounts:
https://uk.pinterest.com/swilson50/japanese-metalwork/
https://www.instagram.com/sandrawilson_silver/
