Eleanor Symms
I design and make unique pieces of jewellery and small editions, from found and reclaimed materials, especially plastics, usually combined with recycled silver.
Continuing the journey which I started as a mature student at Edinburgh College of Art, I am committed to the ethos of circular economy and environmental sustainability.
My work is a response to materials which have had a ‘former life’ and I am intrigued by the histories of the materials I find or salvage.
My fascination with ‘stuff’ and the origins, properties and potential of different materials drives my practice. I aim to make work which is wearable, original and beautiful and which questions ideas of ‘preciousness’.
Continuing the journey which I started as a mature student at Edinburgh College of Art, I am committed to the ethos of circular economy and environmental sustainability.
My work is a response to materials which have had a ‘former life’ and I am intrigued by the histories of the materials I find or salvage.
My fascination with ‘stuff’ and the origins, properties and potential of different materials drives my practice. I aim to make work which is wearable, original and beautiful and which questions ideas of ‘preciousness’.
Selected Exhibitions
Collaborative Projects and Exhibitions
Matter: Earth, Materials and Making, Applied Arts Scotland Closing the Loop Research Group, The Barn Arts, Banchory 2022
Distance– Immersive Technology Project, Applied Arts Scotland and Soluis Heritage, 2021
The Contemporary Jewellery Exchange, international online exhibition and publication, 2015
Re: See It 3/Art COP Scotland, St Margaret's House and Gayfield Creative Spaces, Edinburgh, 2015
Group Exhibitions
Autumnal Jewellery, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, 2023
Through the Garden Gate, Deqiu Cultural Creative Park, Shanghai, China, 2023
Ramblings, Craft and Design Gallery, Leeds, 2021
glasshouses, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, 2020
Connections|Connessioni, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, touring UK and Italy, 2019-2020
Perceptions: Jewellery for a Fairer Future, Elements Festival, Edinburgh, 2018
Galeria Tereza Seabra, Lisbon, Portugal, 2015
Open Exhibitions
Current, Tatha Gallery, Newport on Tay, 2018 Beyond the Blue, Gill Wing Gallery, London, 2017 Paradis Perdu, Alliages Gallery, Lille, France, 2016
ICONS, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, National Centre for Craft and Design, Sleaford, 2014
Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Exhibition, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London, 2014
Something Old, Something New, International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea, 2013
Inspired by..., Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2010 Visual Arts Scotland, 1999, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020-1
Society of Scottish Artists, Edinburgh,1998,1999, 2000, 2003, 2013, 2018, 2019
Awards and collections
Awards - Textiles and Fashion Award, Inspired by… 2010, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Craft Makers' Award, Creative Scotland and East Lothian Council, 2015, Inches Carr Award for Jewellery and Silversmithing, Visual Arts Scotland, 2016, Visual Arts and Craft Maker's Award, Creative Scotland and East Lothian Council, 2017, 2019, 2021, Creative Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council 2022
Collections - National Library of Scotland, Artists' Books and Special Bindings Collection; Printmaking Museum of Douro, Biennial Collection, Portugal; Scottish Borders Council, Fine Art Collection and the Scottish Poetry Library.
Professional memberships- Visual Arts Scotland and Visual Arts Scotland Council Member 2016-2019, Applied Arts Scotland, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, Craft Scotland Directory, Crafts Council Directory and Green Crafts Initiative
Collaborative Projects and Exhibitions
Matter: Earth, Materials and Making, Applied Arts Scotland Closing the Loop Research Group, The Barn Arts, Banchory 2022
Distance– Immersive Technology Project, Applied Arts Scotland and Soluis Heritage, 2021
The Contemporary Jewellery Exchange, international online exhibition and publication, 2015
Re: See It 3/Art COP Scotland, St Margaret's House and Gayfield Creative Spaces, Edinburgh, 2015
Group Exhibitions
Autumnal Jewellery, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, 2023
Through the Garden Gate, Deqiu Cultural Creative Park, Shanghai, China, 2023
Ramblings, Craft and Design Gallery, Leeds, 2021
glasshouses, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, 2020
Connections|Connessioni, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, touring UK and Italy, 2019-2020
Perceptions: Jewellery for a Fairer Future, Elements Festival, Edinburgh, 2018
Galeria Tereza Seabra, Lisbon, Portugal, 2015
Open Exhibitions
Current, Tatha Gallery, Newport on Tay, 2018 Beyond the Blue, Gill Wing Gallery, London, 2017 Paradis Perdu, Alliages Gallery, Lille, France, 2016
ICONS, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, National Centre for Craft and Design, Sleaford, 2014
Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Exhibition, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London, 2014
Something Old, Something New, International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea, 2013
Inspired by..., Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2010 Visual Arts Scotland, 1999, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020-1
Society of Scottish Artists, Edinburgh,1998,1999, 2000, 2003, 2013, 2018, 2019
Awards and collections
Awards - Textiles and Fashion Award, Inspired by… 2010, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Craft Makers' Award, Creative Scotland and East Lothian Council, 2015, Inches Carr Award for Jewellery and Silversmithing, Visual Arts Scotland, 2016, Visual Arts and Craft Maker's Award, Creative Scotland and East Lothian Council, 2017, 2019, 2021, Creative Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council 2022
Collections - National Library of Scotland, Artists' Books and Special Bindings Collection; Printmaking Museum of Douro, Biennial Collection, Portugal; Scottish Borders Council, Fine Art Collection and the Scottish Poetry Library.
Professional memberships- Visual Arts Scotland and Visual Arts Scotland Council Member 2016-2019, Applied Arts Scotland, Association for Contemporary Jewellery, Craft Scotland Directory, Crafts Council Directory and Green Crafts Initiative
Eleanor Symms was born in London and has lived in Scotland since she was 8 years old. She lives in East Lothian, on the coast just outside Edinburgh, and works in a studio in Leith, Edinburgh.
She graduated from Edinburgh College of Art as a mature student.
Currently, alongside working in her studio, she works part-time as a lecturer at Edinburgh College, specialising in teaching Art and creative skills with students who have additional support needs.
Education
BA Combined Studies in Art and Design with Distinction
Edinburgh College of Art 2012
Post Graduate Teaching Qualification in Further Education
University of Dundee 2005
Post Graduate Diploma in Community Education
University of Edinburgh 1986
MA Hons
University of Edinburgh 1985
Eleanor is a Professional Member of Visual Arts Scotland and Applied Arts Scotland, a member of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, Craft Scotland Directory, Crafts Council Directory and Green Arts Initiative. She exhibits in the UK and internationally.
She graduated from Edinburgh College of Art as a mature student.
Currently, alongside working in her studio, she works part-time as a lecturer at Edinburgh College, specialising in teaching Art and creative skills with students who have additional support needs.
Education
BA Combined Studies in Art and Design with Distinction
Edinburgh College of Art 2012
Post Graduate Teaching Qualification in Further Education
University of Dundee 2005
Post Graduate Diploma in Community Education
University of Edinburgh 1986
MA Hons
University of Edinburgh 1985
Eleanor is a Professional Member of Visual Arts Scotland and Applied Arts Scotland, a member of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, Craft Scotland Directory, Crafts Council Directory and Green Arts Initiative. She exhibits in the UK and internationally.
Planet Necklace, 2022, image credit Martin Alan Smith Photography
In the studio, image credit- Martin Alan Smith
Flow Necklace, 2023, Martin Alan Smith Photography