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Shannon O’Neill is a designer whose ability to think outside traditional boundaries shows through in all her work. She first studied three dimensional design at Manchester Metropolitan University, taking time out to study sculpture at the University of New Delhi in India and to take a scholarship at the New York State University of Ceramics. She applies all three elements in her work today
Shannon’s approach is utterly three dimensional, usally non-linear and directed towards forms which communicate function. The shapes she creates often appear to be just momentary halts in what must surely be continuous flow and movement.
As a final year student, she won the prestigious Young Designer Silversmith Award 1995, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, for a silver water jug inspired by her childhood observations of the sea. This piece is now in the Permanent Collection at the Manchester City Art Galleries. As part of her prize, she was awarded two weeks’ training at the Nayler Brothers workshop.
In 1998, she was given an educational grant from the Goldsmiths’ Company, NADFAS Patricia Fay Memorial Fund and the Silver Trust in order to fund her post-graduate training, which included two weeks with Michael Lloyd, two weeks at the Richard Fox Workshop and eight weeks at the Nayler Brothers Workshop.
Her many commissions include The Australian Brooch for the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies in 1999 and in 2000, ‘Millennium Salt’ consisting of salt and pepper grinders, spoons and a tray, commissioned by The Worshipful Company of Pavoirs, and more recently the Macmillan Pelican Inter Club Golf Trophy, commissioned by Sir Peter Michael.
Bella Figura - Shannon O'Neill, silversmith
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