Jeweller, Emily Frances Barrett, uses natural materials and found objects within her work to create delicate masterpieces. The Central Saint Martins graduate decided to pursue her practice within jewellery after specialising in the subject for her dissertation. Emily enjoys the imperfections in which using natural materials brings to her art form, during our chat she says herself "it’s more interesting than something that’s perfectly manicured and geometric.” Recently a selection of Emily’s pieces were worn by Jorja Smith as seen on ‘The Face’ magazine, giving her work great exposure. Carry on reading to hear more from Emily on how she creates work and what she has planned for 2021.

What inspired your journey in becoming a jeweller?

I was obsessed with collecting beads, buttons and shells and making these into jewellery when I was a child, it’s something I’ve always done instinctively. I got my first taste of silversmithing when I did an evening course at a local jeweller’s when I 15, but I couldn’t really continue with it as the equipment I needed was too expensive for me to get hold of at the time. Many years later I studied Fashion Communication and Promotion MA at Saint Martins and ended up writing about Jewellery for my dissertation. I realised Jewellery was something I had always been interested in and now was the time to go for it and pursue it further. My Dad is an Antique Arms and Armour specialistic and growing up he would show me incredible examples of Japanese and Asian weaponry covered in engravings, inlay, precious stones and other techniques that are also used within jewellery. I’m sure this influenced my love of laboriously crafted and detailed objects as well as setting the bar extremely high in terms of craftsmanship.

How would you describe your artistic aesthetic?

Detail orientated and usually layered. I’m not married to any one style or aesthetic as I am constantly evolving and hopefully progressing as a creative, therefore it’s never a fixed thing until I’m dead.

You utilise a range of natural materials within your work, what influenced you to do this?

I work with what I’m drawn to, I like the irregularity and imperfections in natural materials as for me it’s more interesting than something that’s perfectly manicured and geometric.

How do you come up with concepts for new pieces?

I follow my interests.

Tell us about your artistic process in which you use to create jewellery?

I can’t tell you, because I don’t know that I have one! I don’t start at A and finish at Z, my process is purely instinctual as I’ve never been taught to design or make. Sometimes it starts with an exploration and experimentation of a material or an idea that just comes to me, other times it might be a commission or a collaboration – which can be a different process each time, there’s no rhyme which keeps it interesting!

You are an artist in residence at Sarabande, the Lee Alexander McQueen Foundation, how did this opportunity arise for you?

I actually left in November, but I was there for 2 years so I had a great run! I found out about the place a couple years before I applied and noticed that some really interesting people were artists in residents or being supported buy them. Later when I was looking for a studio I thought I should apply as I had nothing to lose, and to my surprise they asked me to a series of interviews and offered me a place.

Your work has recently been worn by Jorja Smith for The Face magazine, how did this collaboration come about?

Stylists contact me and ask to loan pieces for shoots, events or special projects and that was the case for this project. It was great to see someone I really respect and admire for her craft wearing my jewellery, so hopefully it’ll happen again!

What projects do you have planned for 2021?

Nothing I can confirm as of yet, though on a more personal level I plan to start working with some new techniques, as well as in gold and with precious stones - all of which I’m really excited about!