Rajesh Gogna
Rajesh Gogna: I am an expert within the field of Contemporary Silversmithing commanding interest from a worldwide audience. I have over two decades of significant and progressive experience forged by establishing a career as a contemporary craft practitioner, academic and researcher.
My practice-based research has recently focused on re-defining luxury and examines functionality, traditional craft skills and design innovation in silver. It is motivated by the move of silver objects from the predominantly utilitarian towards more decorative and sculptural use as art objects with little or no physical interaction with the viewer or user. The work challenges craft experts to embrace different cultures and emphasize the materiality of silver and human contact. At its heart is the notion of re-consumption and re-conception of silver objects.
‘Ice Tea for One’, is a series of teapots exhibited internationally, intended for dispensing and drinking iced tea. The research responds to the rich historical and cultural relationship that sterling silver has associated with British heritage. ‘Ice Tea for one’ engages in discourse with traditional tea drinking, and plays with the notion of silver as a functional and decorative commodity. The research has made significant contributions to the craft of making and the craft of using ‘intimate’ precious metal objects. It redirects attention from multiple and mass reproduction to the uniqueness and one-off qualities of the teapots.
Blue, White, Black, Yellow and Silver series are all part of the Architect Series, an ongoing body of work that introduces an emerging aesthetic focused on indexical materiality to understate silver. Coloured powder coating disguises and blurs distinctions between original and fake, commodity and materiality or immateriality in the context of the circulation and consumption of artisanal luxury objects. It raises questions of authenticity by reversing the notion of ‘added value’ in conversion between measurable and immeasurable value. Here I achieve the opposite effect of wealth and power with an optical illusion by using non-precious powder coating to give the impression of a ‘modest’ approach to the consumption of luxury.
My ‘artefacts’ are timeless collectable classics of the future commanding interest from both national and international collectors and museums and can be seen in the permanent collections of the Kamm Teapot Foundation USA, National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Cartwright Hall in Bradford. My work has also been featured at the V&A Museum, London and within numerous international exhibitions; Koldinghus Museum in Denmark and The National Museum of Finland- Hame Castle, The Silver Museum, Schoonhoven, Beijing Metal Art Exhibition in China to name a few.
I have made a significant contribution to the future development of the Silversmithing industry by consulting on strategic developments across the creative sector. I am a freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company and gained freedom of the City of London in 2013.
I am also the current Chairman of Contemporary British Silversmiths and a founding trustee of the CBS Charity. [ www.contemporarybritishsilversmiths.org ].
CBS is a membership organisation which includes established makers, by selection, recent graduates and students. I am dedicated to maintaining and advancing the historic craft of silversmithing within the context of contemporary design. We represent a valuable forum for silversmiths throughout the country and an important point of contact for anyone interested in modern silverware. I am also a founding Trustee of Contemporary British Silversmiths Charity set up in 2021, to support the work of Contemporary British Silversmiths by helping maintain, develop and promote the craft of contemporary silversmithing and design nationally and internationally. It is committed to inspiring the next generation of silversmiths, raising the profile of contemporary British made silver, and preserving the heritage of our craft while helping to build its future.
The CBS Charity manages the CBS Skills Training Programme, which continues to be developed in response to industry demand and delivered through its successful peer learning and mentoring model. It enables skills transfer from master silversmiths to ensure a diversity of silversmithing skills and techniques, and supports artists and makers working in the UK through networking and professional development opportunities.
Community & Networking
In Sept 2021, As Chairman of CBS, I organised and delivered an international symposium at DMU, titled ‘Celebrating Silver’ in collaboration with the Goldsmiths’ and the Contemporary British Silversmiths to mark the significant milestone of their 25th Anniversary. Bringing together our strong network to reflect on the past and to look ahead and influence future opportunities whilst highlighting the challenges of contemporary silver within a global context. Build on current international networks to draw in a wider perspective and engage broader audience towards contemporary British silversmithing. https://www.contemporarybritishsilversmiths.org/celebrating-silver/
Skills & Knowledge Transfer
I mentor early career and mid-career practitioners and lead on strategies for upskilling for future growth of individual practices through subject and knowledge transfer, whilst maintaining the highest standards within the field.
I have been instrumental in championing routes of access to entering the world of contemporary silversmithing with a diverse and broad cultural perspective. I mentor and makers/ practitioners and academics to disrupt, exchange and investigate the richness of the subject to push the boundaries of cultural heritage and innovation potential.
Mr. Rajesh Gogna, Senior Lecturer in BA (Hons) Design Crafts, School of Art, Design, and Humanities.
Research Themes: Re-defining Luxury/Material Enquiry/ Craft Skills/Education/ Analogue & Digital Making/Design & Innovation
Links
Personal Website: www.rajeshgogna.co.uk
Instagram: @rajeshgognasilver