Caius Bearder- About the Maker
Caius was born in Guernsey, and was fascinated by small objects and making from an early age. Living on an island, he was drawn to the coast, especially to the unusual and beautiful flora, fauna and geography of beaches and cliffs.
After a period of time working with local jewellery Catherine Best, Caius studied Silversmithing and Jewellery (BA Hons) at Glasgow School of Art (GSA), during which time he discovered silversmithing as a creative medium. Drawn towards larger scale work and keen to develop his practice at a postgraduate level, Caius became a Fellow of Bishopsland Educational Trust after a year long residency.
Since completing his time as Artist in Resident at the GSA, Caius is now a part-time technician for the Silversmithing and Jewellery Department, where he is continuing to develop new designs and pieces of jewellery and silversmithing for commissions and sales. He is currently focussing on the use of hand engraving to create dynamic reflection in metal surfaces, to mimic the constant flow and motion of the ocean surface.
“My inspiration stems from my home island of Guernsey. The natural beauty of the island's coastlines inspires the flowing lines and forms in my work, combining soft aquatic surface lines and denser textures to reflect turbulent rockfaces and waves. Working predominantly in silver, I use a combination of engraving and hand-forming to achieve the details which provide dynamic light play to the surfaces of my pieces.”
Caius Bearder Artist Statement
Education
Fellow of Bishopsland Educational Trust, 2021-2022
Silversmithing and Jewellery (BA Hons), Glasgow School of Art, 2017-2021
Awards
2023
Silver Award, Junior Engravers, Die Sinkers and Steel Engravers, Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council
2022
Outstanding Student Award, Scottish Goldsmiths Trust
Best Silver Design (Runner Up), Jacobs the Jewellers & Bishopsland Emerging Designer Exhibition
2021
Bullion Grant Award, Craftmasters Gallery
Bronze Award, 2D Silversmithing, Goldsmith's Craft and Design Council
2020
Shortlisted, 2D Smallworkers, Goldsmith's Craft and Design Council
Exhibitions
2022
SHINE 2022, Goldsmiths Centre
Bishopsland Retrospective Exhibition, Bishopsland Educational Trust
Clothworkers Hall Exhibition, Bishopsland Educational Trust
Jacobs the Jewellers Emerging Design Exhibition
Chelsea Desire Fair 2022
Craft in Focus – RHS Wisley
Reading Foundation for Art Exhibition at Haslams
Glasgow School of Art Silversmithing and Jewellery Christmas Sale
2021
Graduation Showcase, Glasgow School of Art (Online)
2020
Goldsmith's Craft and Design Council Award Shortlists Exhibition, London
Glasgow School of Art Silversmithing and Jewellery Christmas Sale
2019
Play: Design Domain Open Studios, Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art Silversmithing and Jewellery Christmas Sale
Splendour: Exhibition in Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art
How Do We Live: Design Domain Open Studios, Glasgow School of Art
2018
Glasgow School of Art Silversmithing & Jewellery Christmas Sale
Chased sterling silver dish, inspired by Guernsey ormer shells, made as part of Caius’ GSA Degree Show, 2021.
Microcosm Bowl, first hand raised and engraved silver vessel at Bishopsland Educational Trust, 2021/22.
Coastal Monolith Goblet, commissioned by Edinburgh Incorporation of Goldsmiths, Winner of the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust Outstanding Student Award, 2022.
Hallmarking & Quality Assurance
All of Caius’ work is hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office. Hallmarks are small markings which show where and when the piece was marked, as well as providing an internationally respected guarantee for the quality of the metal. You can find out more about the Edinburgh Assay Office with the link below.
