Mary Ann Simmons

Since graduating from the Royal College of Art, box-making has continued to be the launchpad for much of the work Mary Ann creates. In the same way a silversmith might specialise in hammer techniques to form their work, Mary Ann’s focus is on creating a three-dimensional object from a flat sheet using a scoring tool. She enjoys exploring perspective, the building of complex polygons, and the technical challenges presented by this approach. Subverting the line away from the formality of the cube form has allowed her to focus on the line itself to create works whose geometry connects in interesting and unusual ways. Having spent many years concentrating on this exacting practice, she has fed those skills throughout the variety of silverware she produces. Her most recent work is focused on the ‘many-sided’ object. She is using scoring and folding to produce faceted objects that stretch her box making skills. Along with the formality and precision of the making process, the personal has often influenced her ideas. She enjoys working to commission and has made pieces for the actor Kevin Bacon, the King of Greece as well as many private commissions. Her work is held in a number of collections both public and private. A number of Mary Ann’s pieces have been collected for The Goldsmiths’ Company’s ‘Modern Plate Collection’ and her medals, by the British Museum. Mary Ann Simmons was born in Canada and studied Jewellery & Metal in Toronto, ON. She is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and a Brother of the Artworkers Guild. She is a Specialist Technical Instructor at the Royal College of Art. Mary Ann also runs a bespoke Photo Etching service used by jewellers and silversmiths from her workshop in Swansea, South Wales, UK. Wales