Narrative content is a key part of what drives my work - I am fascinated by the ways in which objects can convey stories by their symbolic nature and also how groups of objects interact to form narratives. The interpretation of function through form interests me, and the ways which it can be played with - either with component parts not functioning in the expected manner, or not functioning at all; I will often allow the components which I am using in a piece to dictate the specific ways in which they are used. My fictional experiments utilise these to explore themes such as paranoia, spiders, control, decay and pseudo-science. The use of imaginary machines in art and literature has been influential to my work - from James Tilley Matthews to the Bachelor Machines of the early Twentieth Century as explored by Duchamp, Jarry and Roussel.
Narrative content is a key part of what drives my work - I am fascinated by the ways in which objects can convey stories by their symbolic nature and also how groups of objects interact to form narratives. The interpretation of function through form interests me, and the ways which it can be played with - either with component parts not functioning in the expected manner, or not functioning at all; I will often allow the components which I am using in a piece to dictate the specific ways in which they are used. My fictional experiments utilise these to explore themes such as paranoia, spiders, control, decay and pseudo-science. The use of imaginary machines in art and literature has been influential to my work - from James Tilley Matthews to the Bachelor Machines of the early Twentieth Century as explored by Duchamp, Jarry and Roussel.
My practise is also driven a need for technical challenge, and I won't outsource work unless strictly necessary. I undertake all construction, stonesetting and hand engraving myself and take pride in being a capable maker as well as designer; because of this I am comfortable working in many different media from drawing, photography and printmaking, to sculpture in wax, wood, metal, plastics, and natural materials.
ANASTASIA YOUNG MA(RCA)
EDUCATION
2004 MA Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery, Royal College of Art.
2001 BA(hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, UAL.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2015 Sleight of Hand, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh; The Brewhouse, Burton upon Trent ; Plymouth College of Art Gallery.
WeWALKA Gallery, Santiago de Chile.
2013 Stainless, Galvanise Festival, Sheffield.
Fresh, Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow.
Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London.
2012 Set: 40 Years of Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins, Lethaby Gallery, London.
2011 Conceptual Jewellery, Putti Gallery, Riga, Latvia.
2007 FIDEM XXX, 30th International Congress of Medallic Art, Colorado, USA.
2006 Experiments from the Spiders’ Laboratory, solo exhibition, Stables Gallery, London.
2004 Graduate Showcase, Galerie Marzee, Holland.
2002 A Bright Future, Contemporary Applied Arts Gallery, London.
Inhorgenta, Munich, Germany.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2014 ECLAT: The Masters of New Jewelry Design, edited by Montse Borras; Promopress.
Behind the Brooch, by Lorena Angulo; Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
2012 The Guide to Gemstone Settings, by Anastasia Young; A & C Black.
Showcase: 500 Rings, edited by Marthe Le Van; Lark Books.
2010 The Workbench Guide to Jewellery Techniques, by Anastasia Young; Thames & Hudson.
2008 The Jewellery Materials Sourcebook, by Anastasia Young; A & C Black.
2007 The Earrings Book, by Yvonne Kulagowski; A & C Black.
2002 The Art of Jewellery Design, by Elizabeth Olver; A & C Black.
SELECTED AWARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS
2013 Engraved paperweight at the Science Museum, London.
Silver Award, Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards.
2012 Commissioned by the International Palladium Board, “Palladium Visions” project for London Fashion Week
2005 Commissioned by The British Art Medal Society.
Commendation, Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards.
2004 The Royal Mint Medal Competition, ESG Robinson Charitable Trust Award.
2001 Work selected for the collection of the Central Saint Martins Museum, London.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visiting Practitioner on the International Programme, WeWalka, Chile; British Council. October 2015.
Hourly paid lecturer, City Lit. October 2012 - Present.
Hourly paid lecturer, Morley College. July 2011 - Present.
Visiting Practitioner at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. May 2006 - present.
Freelance author for Quarto Publishing plc. December 2006 - Present.
Author of: The Guide to Gemstone Settings: Styles and Techniques (A & C Black, 2012)
The Workbench Guide to Jewellery Techniques (Thames & Hudson, 2010)
The Jewellery Materials Sourcebook (A & C Black, 2008)
Freelance consultant for MA Design (Central Saint Martins) live project with Swarovski. December 2005 - January 2007.
Self-employed Artist/Designer Jeweller, August 2004 - present.
Jewellery Short Course Tutor, Artscom Ltd. @ Central Saint Martins. October 2003 - present.