Iona is a silversmith and jeweller, graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 2018 and Bishopsland in 2019. Iona's passion for objects, in particular boxes comes from the aspect of discovery that they hold. A box is an object that can fit in the palm of your hand, however once opened it can reveal a sentiment of treasure. In all her work she strives to achieve that compelling feeling that you must pick this object up, a keepsake that demands further exploration. These pieces are made to hold, to use and look from many angles as the design has been considered for both exterior and interior. Iona is drawn to textures and irregular patterns in natural forms from the beaches near her hometown in Scotland. Iona uses the techniques of chasing and repousse, scoring and folding and movement in her work. The jewellery is an abstraction of her larger work, isolating and developing elements from the boxes into a wearable object. Iona has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
Iona is an award-winning silversmith and jeweller, graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 2018 and Bishopsland Educational Trust in 2019.
Dividing her time between studios in Bristol and Moray, Iona produces high-quality craft that reflects her passion for the tactile nature of objects.
At the heart of Iona's work is her fascination with small objects which she views as vessels of discovery, a theme that extends to her creation in both silverware and jewellery.
Iona has exhibited at renowned exhibitions and sells her work across the UK.
Chasing and repousse masterclass with silversmith Rod Kelly 2019
Exhibitions
A Scottish Symphony, Crane Court Gallery, London - 23rd January to 21st February
Around The Table, Make Southwest, Devon - 11th November to 27th January 2024
WEST, Wasps Studio Glasgow, Visual Arts Scotland - 20th to 28th May 2023
NORTH, Wasps Studio Inverness, Visual Arts Scotland - 2nd to 21st December 2022
Surge, Tatha Gallery, Visual Arts Scotland, Fife - 8th October to 6th November 2021
Love and Chaos, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow - 8th October to 10th November 2021
Making It, Make Southwest, Devon - 24th July to 12th September 2021
F L O W, Visual Arts Scotland's Online Exhibition - 1st December to 21st January 2021
Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries and Galloway - 24th September to 24th October 2020
Open up HammerClub Exhibition, The Netherlands, 2nd February - 30th August 2020
Renewal HammerClub Exhibition, Dock Street Studios, Dundee - 1st June to 29th June 2019
Silver Museum in Freiburg, Germany - 27th of June to 6th October 2019
Goldsmiths Hall, Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Award Exhibition, London - February 2019
Rising Stars, New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham - 2nd March to 13th April 2019
Schoonhoven Silver Award 2018, The Netherlands - December 2018 to February 2019
Goldsmiths Centre, Getting Started, London - December 2018 to January 2019
New Designers, London - June 2018
Iona draws inspiration from the lines and irregular patterns found in the natural forms along the beaches near her home in Scotland.
Her work is abstract, embodying her emotional connection to place. Iona translates fragments of her drawings onto silver surfaces creating her distinctive style.
Much like finding a hidden treasure on the beach, her work evokes the feeling of unexpected discovery, sparking a natural compulsion to hold onto and cherish the object.
Each piece becomes a keepsake, symbolising the connection to home and personal roots, acting as a permanent reflection of the places and experiences that shape our identity.
Awards
2023 Heritage Crafts Precious Metals Bursary Award funded by the Royal Mint
2022 Contemporary British Silversmith's Industry Award, silver grant to create design
Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Award 2021, Bronze award in the Smallworkers section for 'Echo Box' design, and a Bronze in the Modellers 3D Design category
The Eaton Fund Award 2020
Highland Visual Arts & Crafts Award Scheme 2019
Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Award 2019, Bronze award for Smallworkers section for 'Reflection Box'
Schoonhoven Silver Award 2018, nominated
Goldsmiths Bullion Precious Metals Bursary 2018
Press
Heritage Crafts Bursary funded by The Royal Mint
The Flux Review, Q&A, London (Online), 2020
https://www.thefluxreview.com/qa-iona-hall/
Elements Artist Blog
https://elementsfestival.co.uk/news/iona-hall
Quarantzine, Gaada. Shetland (Online), 2020
Bill Barber: Made in Scotland
https://billbaber.com/made-in-scotland-iona-hall-jewellery/?
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