CV
Updated August 2020
I am an experienced self-employed designer maker. Specializing in vitreous enamel as a media, I produce a variety of artifacts ranging in scale from jewellery, small objects, and wall based panels of a domestic size, through to larger pieces suitable for corporate or public display.
EXPERIENCE
- Designer Maker: I design and make enamels for gallery exhibitions / sales and exhibit my work nationally and internationally. I regularly showcase my work at Goldsmiths Fair and pieces are available through selected galleries, and online via my website.
- Outworker: I provide an enamelling service in a range of techniques for jewellery and small works including champleve / cloisonné and painted enamel miniatures. In addition to this I also offer enamels as artworks for private/public installation. I frequently work with small manufactures as an outworker, offering a bespoke provision.
- Lecturer: Posts held have included a range of adult learner levels.
- I was an associate lecture at UCLAN University in Preston up until the BA Contemporary Craft course closing in 2015. My role as tutor enabled and developed design and making skills in the area of jewellery, enamel and silversmithing, but also included tutoring students working in ceramics and 3D design.
- I have taught a variety of art & design subjects at FE and HE across all post 16 levels from entry level / community out reach groups, via my part time post held at Southport College. ( 1995 - 2005 )
- I also teach freelance. Previous sessions include being an invited tutor on workshops at West Dean in Chitchester, Manchester College, Liverpool Hope University, and Staffordshire University. In addition I have presented workshops organized for the British Society of Enamellers and the Guild of Enamellers. In 2010 and 2011 I was a tutor at Art in Action for the Guild of Enamellers. In 2012 I was guest speaker at the Guild Conference and have taught a weekend event in Denmark for the Danish Enamel Group.
- From 2013 / 16 I worked with silversmith Rajesh Gogna to present short enamel courses for his independant school, The Jewellery & Silversmiths Design Academy, in Birmingham's historic jewellery quarter.
- In August 2017 I taught at the USA Enamel Society Conference held in Arrowmont
- In March 2018 I taught at the Center for Enamel Organization workshop held at the Silvera Jewellery School in Berkely, California, USA. I also have recently taught online in May & June 2021 for Silvera Jewellery School
- Membership: Between 2003 – 2008 I was secretary for the British Society of Enamellers (BSOE). I was a memebr of the MerseyJewellers and Metal Artist Network (MJMAN) from 1994 - until it closed in 2014 and I am currently a member of the Hand Engravers Association.
- I have worked with BSOE & MJMAN in the setting up of exhibitions. Notably, in 2007/08 I helped the Finnish enameller Ulla Huttunen co-ordinate a touring exhibition of British Enamels to prestigious galleries in Finland.
- Selector : I am often an invited selector for the Guild of Enamellers Awards / British Society of Enamellers Memberships and The Goldsmiths Craftmanship and Design Awards. In 2020 I am an invited juror for the Enamel Guild North East in America for their exhibition Under Fire 3.
PROJECTS
- 2017/18 Artist in residence at the Royal Liverpool Hospital - Commission via the Bluecoat Display Centre
- 2014 A&E Waiting Room NHS Royal Liverpool Hospital Commission to design artwork for windows to provide screening & enhance the waiting areas.
- 2013 NHS Broad Green Hospital Liverpool Commission completed for a large scale artwork sited in the waiting room of the Breast Screening Clinic - more into here
- 2012 COLLECT - Commission from The Bluecoat Display Center, Liverpool to create work for "Heroic" - More information here
- 2010 The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool : Following on from an assignment first initiated in 2004, I designed and made a display of contemporary enamels for the Craft & Design Gallery showcase. This work opened on the 23rd of October 2009, and closed Feb 2011. The painted enamel tryptic made for this display is in the permanent collection and was on display in the exhibition titled "New Works" - more info here
- 2009/ 2013 & onwards - Large Scale Training : In September 2009 I undertook workshop training organized by the British Society of Enamellers at A.J. Wells, a large scale enamelling factory. In addition I have have also completed courses run by Elizabth Turrell held at UWE, Bristol and West Dean, Chitchester.
- In 2013 & 2014 I worked alongside Rebbeca Gouldson at AJ Wells assiting her work and developing workshop skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
2008/9 – Web Site Design, City & Guilds Level 2 – Pass – Southport College
1999 / 2000 - GCSE Computer Graphic Design – Grade A - Southport College
1996/7 - 740 City & Guilds Certificate in Continuing Professional Development - Liverpool Community College
1994/5 - 730 City & Guilds Further & Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate Southport College
1983 / 1987 - BA Hon’s Jewellery Design – Grade 2:1 - Middlesex University London
1986 - College Placement with Alan Mudd & Keith Seldon Partnership. Enamellers & Engravers. London.
1986 - College placement - worked with the props department of the BBC Re: Eastenders programme.
1981/ 3 - DATEC Diploma General Art & Design. Merit with distinction in final projects. Southport College
Additional Info 2008 - 2018 ongoing
I have an interest in printmaking and undertaking study on printmaking courses from time to time.
1998 – 2017 ongoing
I have regularly attended various short courses and conferences in enamel related subjects - Undertaken at West Dean and UWE, Bristol. (Separate lists available on request)
PUBLICATIONS
2006 Author of “J.H. Enamelling” for A & C Black, London. - more info here
2002 "How to" article featured on an online enamel magazine hosted by Allan Heywood Australia.
2002 Featured in " Enamelling on Precious Metals" by Jeanne Werge Hartley. The Crowood Press.
2004 The Walker Art Gallery Liverpool. I worked with the gallery staff, demonstrating enamel techniques and producing samples for exhibition display. Images are now on permanent video display in The Craft & Design Gallery.
AWARDS
- 2011 Goldsmiths Craft and Design Award - Commended
- 2009 BSOE Bursary - Awarded for the study of Large Scale Enamels
- 1987 The Platinum Award
- 1985 The Royal Society Of Arts Bursary Award
COLLECTIONS
- The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Exhibitions 2019/2020
- 2020 Goldsmiths Fair Digital - 26 September / 6 October
- 2020 Collect : selected by Goldsmiths Fair, Somerset House, London - 27th February / 1st March
- 2019 RE: Collected - Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool - 3rd August 2019 / 14th September 2019
Exhibitions 2017/18
- In the window - November - Bluecoat Display Center Liverpool
- Rebuilt studio in 2017/18 so took time out from exhibtions.
- During this period I was focusing on teaching and working on an artist in residency project.
Exhibitions 2016
- 24 November - 24 December 2016 : "The Silver Festival" exhibition at Leo De Vroomen London
- 27 September - 2 October 2016 : Week One - Goldsmiths Fair London http://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/
- 11th October 2016/ 17 : "Enamoured " - Group Exhibition of enamels selected by the BSOE & Guild of enamelers at the Goldsmiths Centre, London - This exhibition toured to other venues in 2017.
Exhibitions 2015
- 2 - 8 March : Enamel on Silver beaker selected for display at Cut in Clerkenwell @ Craft Central / HEA exhibition
- 25 June - 12 July : The Contemporary Silver Gallery / Summer Contemporary Silver, Enamel and Jewellery Exhibition : Linfield, Sussex - more details > http://thecontemporarysilvergallery.co.uk/acatalog/Summer-Exhibition.html
- 29 September – 4 October 2015 : Goldsmiths Fair - Week Two . London http://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk
- 17 - 25 January : Bluecoat Display Centre - Mersey Jewellers Go Platinum 1994-2014 - meet the maker event from 2-4pm on the 17th
- 25 February : Talk & an exhibition of work at the Athenaeum, Liverpool . Tickets available via The Bluecoat Display Centre - New work will also be on display in the Bluecoat Display Centre Gallery
- 20 March - 3 May : "Music Makers" - an exhibition curated by Micheal Brennand Wood at the Bluecoat Display Centre Liverpool
- 19 March - 11 May : "Silver & Enamel - In the Window" Finnish Craft Museum Jyvaskula Finland
- 22 - 28 September : GOLDSMITHS FAIR - WEEK ONE Goldsmiths Hall London
EXHIBITIONS 2013
- "NEW WORKS" Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool - A year Long exhibition showcasing the galleries recent acquisitions
- Contemporary Silver & Furniture Exhibition - British Festival of Silver - Goldsmiths Center London - 9 / 13 April
- "Rocks" at the Goldsmiths Center - May/June, part of the Chelsea Fringe Festival.
- "Enamel & Silver" Höyry Galleria, Korpilahti Harbour, Finland - 5 / 27 October
EXHIBITIONS 2012
- HOME - Enamel Artwork Represented by 5ML - January - Earls Court, London co-located with Top Drawer. Enamel Panels & Furniture made in collaboration with designer Tom Sutton.
- "Anything to Declare" - International Group Exhibition - 27 April – 29 June - Curve Gallery - Newcastle, Australia. A collection of prints selected for the launch exhibition.
- COLLECT - 11 / 14 May - Enamel Panel Artwork and Objects. Represented by The Bluecoat Display Centre - Saatchi Gallery , London.
- BRITISH SILVER WEEK - Pangolin Gallery , Kings Cross , London 17 May - Selected for the Specialist Enamel Day
- GOLDSMITHS FAIR - Week two - Goldsmiths Fair, London. Exhibited Silverware and Jewellery.
EXHIBITIONS 2011
- CRAFTMASHIP AND DESIGN AWARDS EXHIBITION March - Goldsmith Hall London - COMMENDED in the Enamel Seniors section.
- BRITISH ANTIQUE AND FINE ARTS DEALERS FAIR, London. - March - Represented by Payne & Sons Oxford
- BROADFIELD GLASS MUSEUM "Beside the Seaside" Summer Exhibition at, Dudley, West Midlands
- BRITISH SILVER WEEK Pangolin Gallery, Kings Cross, London. Selected as one of twelve enamellers for the Enamel and Decorative Silver Day - May
- British Silver Week at Butcher Works sponsored by Sheffield Assay Office, Sheffield, S1 2NS June
- ART IN ACTION Teaching sessions and Teachers display of work / Guild of Enamellers. - July
- THE HEAT IS ON : Contemporary Enamel in Britain – 17 Sept / 15 October. BSOE Exhibition at the Garden Gallery, Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
- GOLDSMITHS FAIR, Goldsmiths Hall London – Week Two – 4/9 October
EXHIBITIONS 2010
- GLASS METAL FIRE - The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. End Feb 2011
- THE CONTEMPORARY CRAFT FAIR - 11 / 13 June - Bovey Tracey - Devon
- BRITISH SILVER WEEK – 7 / 30 June - Payne & Son, Oxford / Gowan Gallery Sawbridge
- ART IN ACTION - Demonstrator with The Guild of Enamellers
- COLOUR CONNECTIONS – 6 Aug / 19 Sept - Cider Press Center, Dartington, Devon
- GOLDSMITHS FAIR - 5 / 10 October The Goldsmiths Hall – London
- ATELIER – Figures - 19 Oct / 22 Nov – Barnstable, Devon
- HEREFORD CONTEMPORARY CRAFT FAIR – 12 /14 Nov - Hereford
- LIVERPOOL DESIGN FESTIVAL – 19 / 21 Nov – St Georges Hall, Liverpool
More information is listed here on my website for previous exhibitions 2009 - 1987
References are available on request
Website : www.ruthballenameldesign.com
Email : [email protected]
TEL : 01704 577585
Location : Southport, Merseyside - full address on request
Website : www.ruthballenameldesign.com
Email : [email protected]
TEL : 01704 577585
Location : Southport, Merseyside - full address on request