Black Isle jeweller Eileen Gatt's London show inspired by climate change concerns

Black Isle jeweller Eileen Gatt has used her concerns about climate change as inspiration for a new collection which was launched at a prestigious London art show last weekend.

The Munlochy-based craftswoman's Aurora Collection was showcased as part of the Craft Scotland showcase at Collect 2022, the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design, held at Somerset House.

Eileen’s brand new collection was on display for the first time alongside works from 10 other talented Scottish creators.

Eileen explained that the new collection is inspired by the environmental tipping point the world is currently at with climate change. Each new piece is a beautiful visual metaphor, illustrating the fragile nature of the polar climate as signs of the looming environmental disaster. Polar bears, whose future existence is threatened by rising temperatures and melting ice, are a recurring motif on her miniature wearable polar panoramas, made from silver, gold and precious gemstones.

“The conversation around climate change is one of, if not the most important topic we need to be acting on, and so I would hope that each piece will spark discussion and prompt an internal need for action,” Eileen said.

Eileen, whose jewellery studio is situated in the former Munlochy Post Office and is open to the public during the summer months, already has a reputation for using her work to evoke discussions around climate change and endangered species.

Inspired by the polar landscapes and folklore stories of northern cultures, Eileen works with recycled precious metals, ethically sourced stones and is exploring new techniques including electroforming and bio-resin.

Collect 2022 at Somerset House hosted over 350 makers from across Britain this weekend.

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