Keith Tyssen
Keith Tyssen's reputation as a designer of modern silverwork was being established during the 1960's with successes in national design competitions, and the finely made silverwork coming out of the workshop he opened in 1963. His abilities were acknowledged when in 1968 he was made a Freeman of The Goldsmiths' Company which had earlier commissioned his 1966 prize winning entry in the Topham Trophy Design Competition, to add to their unique collection of Modern Plate. The Goldsmiths' Company commissioned further major pieces from Keith as part of making gifts of modern silverwork to Universities and The Church to encourage interest in the commissioning of modern silver.
Keith recently, after several years as Head of Design in SCP now Sheffield Hallam University, has returned fulltime to designing and carefully producing substantial, functional articles in sterling silver and in other metals for companies, public institutions and private collectors, working mainly to commission.
Keith is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (since 1983). He regularly serves as External Assessor for Design Degree Courses in the UK. He is a founder member of the Association of British Designer Silversmiths (ABDS) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is listed in the Design Index at Goldsmiths' Hall, and in the Crafts Council's Index of Designer-Makers. His work has featured in numerous exhibitions in Britain and overseas.
Date of Birth:
Associations: FRSA,ABDS
Awards:
The Kayman Award for Design, Manufacture amd Marketing- presented at the NEC, Birmingham in 1998.
Blueprint Award (Short Lisiting) at the 100% Design Show London in 1996
Twice for Best New Product' Award presented at London's Top Drawer International Trade Shows, in 1990 for a 303mm (12") diameter Bowl in a limited edition of 200. And in 1995 for a beaker 88mm (3.5") High both items have a double skin construction.
Commissions:
Six items for the Sefar Torah in Sheffield's new Synagogue.
A collaborative project with three other design-makers, ( Alex Brogden, Chris knight and Brett Payne). Together we produced a solid silver Punch Bowl and Ladle weighing over 46 kiolos, as a major show-piece for permanent display in The Millenium Galleries in Sheffield. This was shown in London from January to March 2001 in the Silver Galleries at the V&A Museuman dwas commissioned by Sheffield Assay Office.
Alterpieces for the recently re-furbished St Mary's Church- Sheffield.
Education:
Group Exhibitions:
Solo Exhibitions:
Travel: Nationally, Yes Internationally, Yes
Press Quotes:
Maker's Statement:
His thoughts on design are direct. "Any man made object should have strength of character. A design should be apt, well-conceived and realised through a wellmanaged combination of invention, good technique, material, construction, and thoughtful finish. These things together are essential ingredients for arriving at a fine quality product, and good design is all of that. I prefer design that makes a bold visual statement, but calmly (mostly) and well tempered enough to equip an object with a kind of reassuring presence, enabling it to stand alone, yet also able to harmonise within its setting. For me, this forms a major part of the appeal of any good design, no matter its market value or social status. It also happens that silver in particular, is a naturally responsive and almost magical material, to touch, to work, and to use. Classified as a 'noble' metal, its many natural and material qualities are complimentary to my best attempts to capture presence and appeal within my work."
Commissioning Procedure
We use heavy gauges - and most vessels (our bowls and drinking utensils) use a time-consuming double-skin method of construction -based on our philosophy that... "Cheapness of manufacturing is not even a third criterion. My aim is to give visual weight, tactile appeal and to express an implicitly generous `spirit' within the personality of each piece. It is also about conveying a sense of tranquillity, as a counter to our often disparate crowding and frenetic times. Indeed, one should take hold of pewter to discover something of the pleasurable qualities of this gentle and comforting `new metal'. Something to enjoy the more as its newness mellows over time, allowing the natural patination to develop gradually through regular use and washing-up in the kitchen sink".Arguably pewter is the `greenest' of practicable metals for it uses considerably less heat energy than for similar manufactures, including glassware and glazed ceramics - and it is simple to recycle.
Pricing Policy
Selling prices for the Pewterware range from £78.00(Euros 124.00) to around £440.00 (Euros 700.00) including Tax. Prices include packing and delivery within mainland UK.
VAT Registered: No
