rauni higson
rauni higson
Rauni Higson is a leading British Silversmith, known for distinctive sculptural tableware, her contemporary designs are created using traditional silversmithing techniques, principally by forging and hammer-forming sheet silver.
Rauni set up her studio in a converted chapel in North Wales, twenty years ago, overlooking the dramatic landscape of Snowdonia. Her work is inspired by the natural world, particularly the mountains and coastline of North Wales. She is fascinated with capturing movement, growth, fluidity and flow in the seemingly rigid medium of metal, with her contemporary interpretation of traditional skills. Rauni leaves evidence of the process of making in her finished pieces, so that people can see and feel that they are formed by hammers and human hands.
Rauni makes many of her own tools, this helps her to create her distinctive style. She strives to capture something of the beauty of the nature, without directly imitating it. Much of her work involves expressing her connection to the landscape: a love letter to Snowdonia.
Rauni is half Finnish, and mainly trained in Finland at Lahti Design Institute. Following her move to the UK, she has trained with some of the greatest British silversmiths including: Christopher Lawrence, Brian Clarke, Michael Good, Michael Lloyd, Rod Kelly, Angus McFadyen, Malcolm Appleby, and Cynthia Eid
Rauni along with Asprey master silversmith Tony Bedford set up Contemporary British Silversmiths Skills Training Programme three years ago, with initial funding from The Goldsmiths’ Livery Company.
Collections:
6 pieces in the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, National Museum of Wales, The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, and The Worshipful Company of Weavers, HMS Prince of Wales, Margo Grant Walsh Collection, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Major Exhibitions:
2015: V&A London: Silver Speaks, National Museum of Scotland
2016: Holburne Museum: Silver: Light & Shade
Awards:
3 silver awards from Goldsmiths Craft and Design awards (and several Bronze), Arts Council of Wales Creative Wales award 2015-16
Portraits: Stephen Heaton
Commissions
Recent commissions have included a processional cross and candlesticks for Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Previous commissions have been completed for The Goldsmiths Company, The Clothworkers Company and the National Museum of Wales
Rauni welcomes special commissions, please contact us for more details
“I want to pay homage to the landscape [of Snowdonia] and my connection to the natural world through my work. I hope that it can help other people to feel a bit more connected, if they are moved by it. That’s my goal”
— Rauni Higson
meet the maker
Meet Rauni in the dramatic landscape that inspires her, and hear how important traditional skills are to her practice.
In this video Rauni shows the making of her Rivulet beakers: all made by hand.
Video credit: Contemporary British Silversmiths / London Craft Week
