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new art collectors |  |
Ruth Ball |
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| Ruth Ball Biography | |
| Designer enameller Ruth Ball utilises the fusion of glass on metal to produce a diverse collection of products, ranging in scale from : Enamelled Panels - wall based Art / Miniature Enamel Painting / Contemporary Jewellery / Small objects – Bowls / Vessels. Pieces are made as “one-offs" or in small batches as limited editions. Ruth graduated from Middlesex University (formerly Polytechnic) in 1987 with a BA Hons in Jewellery Design. As a student she was awarded the RSA Bursary Award in 1985 and the Platinum Award in 1987. Today, she regularly exhibits work both in national and international exhibitions and is an active member of BSOE, The British Society of Enamellers, and is invlolved with her local groups DESIGN INITIATIVE and MJMAN (Merseyside Jewellers and Metal Artists Network) As a self-employed designer enameller, she is skilled in all aspects of champleve, cloisonné painted enamel and panelled artwork. In conjunction to producing her own designs, she undertakes commissions and trade work. Additionally, as an experienced teacher at Further & Higher Education levels Ruth offers a range of workshops in Enamelling and Art & Design.Her educational work features in a display at The Walker Gallery in Liverpool, and a recent highlight in her career was the publication of a “How To” book on enamelling, commissioned by the publishers A & C Black for their jewellery Handbook series. | |
| Education: | |
| QUALIFICATIONS · 1999 - 2000 Southport CollegeGCSE Computer Graphic Design – Grade A · 1996 – 1997 City of Liverpool Community College Bankfield Centre, Liverpool.740 City & Guilds Certificate in Continuing Professional Development · 1994 – 1995 Southport College - 730 City & Guilds Further And Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate · 1983 – 1987 Middlesex University London -BA Hon’s Jewellery Design – Grade 2:1 · 1981 – 1983 Southport College DATEC Diploma General Art & DesignGrade: All elements passed with merit. Gained distinction in final projects. ADDITIONAL COURSES / EVENTS ATTENDED2006 – One day BSOE Symposium held at the London Metropolitan University. Speakers Simon Fraiser / Marjory Simons / Christine Rew / Elizabeth Turrel2005 – Separate One day workshops with tutors Vladimir Bohm & Hali Baykov2005 – Three day Enamel Workshop at the London Metropolitan University – Tutor Dale Devereaux Barker2004 – One day Enamel Symposium held at the London Metropolitan University – Speakers, Jane short / Elizabeth Turrel / Amal Gosh and Robert Ebendorf2003 – Association of Contemporary Jewellers Conference Manchester. Series of speakers over week event2002 – Five day Enamel Workshop at the UWE Bristol – tutors Sarah Perkins & Elizabeth Turrel2000 – International Workshops and Symposium at The University of The west of England UWE Bristol - Series of speakers plus workshop with Tutors Elizabeth Turrell & Gretchen Goss1998 – The British Society of Enameller’s Workshops and Conference held at West Dean. Series of speakers over weekend including Pat Johnson, Elizabeth Turrel, Phill Barnes & Alex Raphael. | |
| Awards: | |
| AWARDS · 1987 The Platinum Award Won the section for innovative design and was also commended for commercial potential and standard of craftsmanship. · 1985 The Royal Society Of Arts Bursary Award Won a bursary award for travel. I used my bursary to visit Enamellers and Jewellers in Vienna. I was also awarded a prize of De Beers Diamonds. | |
| Selected Commissions/collections: | |
| The Walker Art Gallery Liverpool. Worked with the gallery, demonstrating enamel techniques and producing samples for exhibition display. Images are now on permanent video display in The Craft & Design Gallery. | |
| Single Exhibitions: | |
| Solo Show planned for 2009 RIBA Renew Rooms Wood Street Liverpool | |
| Group Exhibitions: | |
| 2008 * “ENAMEL” 22 December 2007 – 1st March 2008 The Craft Museum of Finland in Jyvaskyla,Finland * International Women’s Day 2008 Showcased with Pauline Hughes Ceramicist Friday 7th March 2008 Held at ICDC, Edge Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside. * DESIGN SHOW LIVERPOOL 19-22 June 2008. The Contemporary Urban Center, Liverpool. * "INSPIRATION" 3 June to 19 July 2008. The Bleach House Gallery, Ulverston , Cumbria Supported by Design Initiative * Exhibitions from September 08 onwards to be confirmed. 2007 * “NURTURED” An exhibition of jewels inspired by botanical forms - MJMAN group exhibition. The Cetra Gallery, Heswal, Wirral from 7th - 28th June 07. Liverpool Cathedral for the Flower Festival on the 28th - 30th June 07 * "07 MJMAN " satellite exhibitions. MJMAN@FACT from July up until the 15th of September. MJMAN@The London Carriage Works as part of the The Hope Street Festival Celebrations 16th September from 10am - 4pm *"SPARKLE 07" MJMAN Xmas exhibition 5 - 9th of December Renew Rooms, RIBA Offices, Wood Street, Liverpool. * “OUT OF THE FIRE” 18th August / 15th September 2007 A Summer exhibition by the British Society of Enamellers The Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 15N. * “MADE IN LIVERPOOL” 24 Nov 2007 – 5th Jan 2008. The Bluecoat Display Center, Hannover Street, Liverpool. * ”ENAMEL” - A selected touring exhibition with ULLA HUTTUNEN - FINLAND - The Kenkavero Craft Gallery in Mikkeli, Finland – 9th Sept/28th Oct 2007. - Kuopio Design Academy, Kupio, Finland 5th Nov/15th Dec 2007. - The Craft Museum of Finland in Jyvaskyla, Finland – 22nd Dec 2007 / 1 Mar 08 2006 * “Contemporary Jewellery” - MJMAN – Merseyside Jewellery and Metal Artists Network group exhibition at The Cetera Gallery, Heswall, Wirral. 28th April – 19th May 2006 *Art Aixe 2nd International exhibition of Enamel Art – open group exhibition Aixe Sur Vienne, France - 29th July/15 August 06 * “ Objects of Desire ” - Group exhibition of Contemporary Applied Arts. The Chapel Gallery Ormskirk Lancashire – 27th October / 25th November 2006 * “ The Art of Enamel” - BSOE - British Society of Enamellers group exhibition The Trackside Gallery, Acton, London – 24th October / November 2006 * “ Sparkle 06” - MJMAN - Merseyside Jewellers And Metal Artist Network Xmas exhibition - RIBA Offices, Wood Street, Liverpool – 13th / 16th December 2006 2005 * Spanish Enamelist Society Exhibition- SALOU Spain - July. Selected works by the BSOE at the invitation CIDAE. * Studio Fusion Xmas show – & work on permanent display * MJMAN @ The Raquet Club - December, Xmas show, The Hargreeves Building, Liverpool 2004 * FIREWORKS 13 June – 10 July 2004. BSOE Summer exhibition at The Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock, Oxford. * Studio Fusion – work on permanent display 2003 *BSOE exhibition at the invitation of “Giraffe” Rencontre International De L’Email Exhibition – Morez - France * “All Squared Up” Nov - Dec Studio Fusion Xmas exhibition – small panel works *MJMAN Xmas exhibition December The Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool 1997 – 2002 *MJMAN Xmas exhibitions at The Ainscough Gallery Liverpool 1998 *BSOE Summer Exhibition at Studio Fusion London *Xmas Exhibition – Nov / December Studio Fusion London 1996 *MJMAN Group Exhibition 25 may – 22 June The Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport, Merseyside 1995 *MJMAN Group Exhibition – October Domino Gallery at the Green Fish Café, Liverpool 1994 *MJMAN Group Exhibition – The Ainscough Gallery Liverpool 1990 – 2004 only exhibited occasionally - took a break from exhibitions due to family commitments. My son Matthew was Born 1990 and daughter Laura 1993. 1990 * “Enamel “ May / June Cirencester Workshops, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Gloustershire *“L’Art De Email” Biennale International July / August - Limoge, France *Electrum – work on permanent display 1989 *BSOE Summer exhibition 18 March – 16 April Durham Light Infantry Museum & Arts Centre, Durham *Peacock House Summer Exhibition April / September Peacock House, Chipping Camden, Gloustershire * “Dazzle Invites” July / September Glasgow Museum & Art Gallery, Kelvingrove, Glasgow * Dazzle Edinburgh – July / September The Assembly Room, Edinburgh * Electrum – work on permanent display 1988 * Dazzle – February / April Royal Festival Hall London * BSOE Summer Exhibition 1-31 August Peacock House Chipping Camden Gloustershire *Dazzle – October / December Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester * “Passing Out” – November West Surrey College of Art & Design, Farnham *“Box Of Delight” 8 November – 24 December Stafford Art Gallery, Stafford *BSOE Exhibition at Electrum 1-19 November Electrum Gallery, South Mouton Street, London 1987 *Degree Show - July Chelsea Town Hall / Middlesex Polytechnic *Dazzle - October / DecemberRoyal Exchange Theatre, Manchester *Platinum Awards Exhibition – November The Goldsmiths Hall London 1985 *Bursary Awards Exhibition - April The Royal Society Of Arts, London. | |
| Artist's Statement: | |
| I've always been captivated by the alchemy of colour and sheer versatility of enamel as a medium. The amazing transition the material undergoes from solid glassy frit, which is ground to powder and then fused onto metal, is for me just fascinating. The range of methods with which the enamel is applied to metal can provide amazing of effects and styles. I can't think of any other medium having the same wealth of diversity and appeal. In my work I've explored a variety of enamel techniques. I've worked on educational projects, trade work, and also produce my own designs as one-off and limited-edition pieces for gallery exhibitions. My favourite techniques are diversly painted enamel, and the methods involved in creating large wall based artworks but my work tends to develop a variety of methods to suit whatever style or effect I want to achieve within a collection. I generally enamel over copper for panels or silver for jewellery but will also include gold details and/or precious stones within a piece.The influences behind the pieces that I design are various, but they are always lead by a sense of colour, and mark making, which combine with an interest in observational study, pattern, ornamentation, and decorative effects. | |
