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| Silversmithing & Jewellery Graduate Kyle Ferguson. Photo credit Mark Cocksedge. |
Kyle Ferguson, a Glasgow School of Art student from Silversmithing & Jewellery’s 2024 graduate cohort has been awarded the prestigious New Designer of the Year Award during Week One of the 39th edition of New Designers. The annual event celebrates the best emerging talent in the UK, featuring over 3,000 design graduates from more than 100 university courses.
Chosen by a panel of industry judges, Ferguson’s work Dormante reflects his lost sense of place as a mixed-race individual growing up between Scotland and Barbados. His pieces incorporate recycled plastic bottles, bronze, silver, 3D-printable resin, wax, real coral and sapphires. He utilises a range of techniques, including virtual 3D modelling, sculpting, casting, traditional handcraft wax processes and stone setting.
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| Ring Relic 02 & Ring Relic 05 from the Dormante collection |
“My work is a response to my lost sense of place as a mixed-race individual growing up between a small Scottish town and Barbados” says Ferguson,
“This reflection on being mixed race is expressed in my ‘coral world’ pieces, which incorporate recycled plastic bottles collected from the beach, as well as bronze, silver, 3D-printable resin, wax, real coral and precious stones like sapphire. I’ve used virtual 3D modelling and sculpting, as well as casting and traditional handcraft wax processes. I also have experience in stone setting and have experimented with drawing to enhance my designs.”
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| Ring Relic 03 & Ring Relic 01 from the Dormante collection |
The Week One award ceremony, opened by leading London-based artist and designer Simone Brewster, honoured a group of exciting graduates with over 10 accolades supported by international brands and businesses as part of the show’s ND Awards programme.
Ferguson has also been awarded The Hannah Martin New Rebel Award, with both awards recognising his graduate project Dormante.
The full press release for the New Designers Award can be found HERE
for further information contact press@gsa.ac.uk
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
About New Designers:
New Designers is an annual showcase of the UK’s most innovative emerging design talent. Since its inception 39 years ago, New Designers has provided a platform for over 3,000 graduates to present their visionary ideas to industry professionals and the public every year. The event takes place over two weeks, with different disciplines highlighted in Week 1 & Week 2, spanning fashion, textiles, furniture, product design, illustration, and more. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and sustainability, New Designers is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of design. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, a student, or a professional in the industry, there’s something for everyone at New Designers.
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA):
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, digital, fine art and innovation in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually.