Moss turns to copper

This is the work of Katrin Spranger, one of my jewellery tutors. It is part of a series of works on the theme of water, its value and scarcity, titled ‘Aquatopia’.

One of the pieces is up for the John Ruskin prize 2019 and will be exhibited with the work of the other finalists in Manchester from 12 July till 24 August. This year’s theme is ‘Agent of Change’. Entrants’ work comment on political or society issues, or, as in Katrin’s case, environmental concerns.

Showing my ignorance, I admit that I had never heard of the John Ruskin Prize. I have since found out that it is the fastest growing multi-disciplinary art prize in the UK with a reputation for supporting and promoting artists, designers and makers whose work does not fit into easy categories.

Some of Katrin’s pieces were exhibited in the recent open weekend at the Cockpit Arts Centre – where I took the photo above. Katrin has her studio there and, together with Kelvin Birk, runs the K2 academy of contemporary jewellery.

Katrin creates her pieces using a chemical solution and electricity running through it to deposit copper on the surface of any material that has been made conductive. It is called electroforming.