Artist, jeweller, leading design educator and GSA alumna Professor Dorothy Hogg MBE (1945-2022) originated the Tree Project in 2018 as a way of celebrating the careers of talented Scottish design graduates in the field of Jewellery and Silversmithing whose professional lives, in diverse ways, demonstrated the positive impact of craft-based courses to successful careers.
Dorothy’s own distinguished role as Head of Department of Jewellery and Silversmithing at Edinburgh College of Art (1985-2007) had allowed her to observe the careers of two generations of graduates at first hand, as she said: ‘I am aware just how intelligent and able my graduates are: and how a craft education can provide a jumping off point to many careers, as practical making experience can lead to independent problem solving and lateral thinking in many contexts’.
The Tree Project took shape, following Dorothy’s untimely death from cancer in 2022, with the guidance of her long-term friend and collaborator, independent curator Amanda Game. Two years of collaborative activity developed between the Goldsmiths Company in London, the Goldsmiths Centre in London and the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust in Edinburgh.
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L-R : Artery Series’ brooch, 2004. Oxidised silver, artificial coral beads. Diameter 7.8 cm. Not hallmarked. Ring, white metal and blue plique a jour enamel, 1967-8, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums. |
The Company, under the direction of curator Dr. Frances Parton, mounted an exhibition at Goldsmiths Hall ‘Dorothy Hogg: Life and Legacy’ which included major works by both Dorothy, her teaching colleagues Susan Cross and William Kirk (who had also taught Dorothy at Glasgow) and some of her graduates with accompanying catalogue available HERE.
They also acquired a significant archive of Dorothy’s own work and supporting materials which continues to be made available for study by young people training through the Goldsmiths Centre’s own early career programmes.
The Goldsmiths Centre organised a Study Day on the future of craft-based art education in June under the direction of Peter Taylor and Charlotte Dew and the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust developed a series of podcast interviews with graduates, under the direction of then Scottish Goldsmiths Trust director Ebba Goring and with the generous support of private patrons.
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Necklace, 1980s. Steel, inlaid with silver and 18ct gold. Length (unclasped) 42 cm. Not hallmarked.
This series of fascinating interviews are now available through GSA’s Spotify : a fitting home as the project honours not only a major GSA graduate but also includes interviews by two of the current team running the multi award-winning Silversmithing and Jewellery Course at GSA, Anna Gordon and Andrew Lamb.
Dorothy Hogg always had a clear sense of the importance of an art and design education that was structured to develop talent in individuals from all backgrounds through a blend of practical workshop experience and intelligently facilitated access to a broad range of visual thinking and cultural activity. Her own studies at Glasgow from 1963 till 1967 had been ‘a totally inspiring experience’ which helped catalyse her own career. She went on to provide that experience to future generations and their reflection on that can be heard in these interviews.
It is hoped that future funding may extend the number of interviewees to include a generation of GSA graduates: something Dorothy herself always hoped might happen.
Professor Dorothy Hogg MBE (1945-2022)
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| Dorothy Hogg in her studio. Photo John K McGregor. |
For further information on the Tree Project please contact press@gsa.ac.uk
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