Moments of indulgence press release

New work from the Association of British Designer Silversmiths

The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield will host an exhibition of new work by some of the country’s leading designers and silversmiths from 9 August – 28 October 2007.

During 2006, Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust, working alongside nationally-renowned, Sheffield-based silversmith, Chris Knight, invited submission of new work to be included in the exhibition based around the theme Moments of Indulgence. Designers were asked to use Sheffield’s internationally important collection of metalwork as inspiration. This collection comprises 12,000 items including products of the light metal trades in Sheffield, from the 1600s to the 21^st century such as cutlery and flatware, canteens and other serving and eating implements. The hollowares reflect the celebratory nature of human society based around food and drink rituals, from the taking of tea and cake to elaborate banquets.

The exhibition will feature brand new works from celebrated silversmiths including Julie Chamberlain, Andreas Fabian, Wally Gilbert, Chris Knight, Cara Murphy, Don Porritt and Rebecca de Quin. Consisting of over 30 pieces of silverware made especially for this exhibition, Moments of Indulgence will also include contributions from established Sheffield-based makers Brett Payne and Keith Tyssen, alongside up and coming local silversmiths including Rebecca Joselyn, Victoria Kershaw and Owen Waterhouse.

The Association of British Designers and Silversmiths was formed in 1996 by practising designer-silversmiths to promote the best standards of design and craftsmanship and focus attention on the abundance of beautiful, new silverware now being created in the United Kingdom. There are 46 elected full members, all talented designers and prize-wining craftspeople with international reputations, working in sterling silver and other metals to the highest standards.