Amy Cushnaghan is a contemporary jeweller whose practice revolves around environmental issues.
She transforms difficult and often unsettling topics into delicate, thought-provoking pieces, designed to start conversations around the issues they represent. Her previous collections have explored themes such as ocean exploitation, the environmental effects of fast fashion on water, and the impact of oil spills.
Committed to sustainability, Amy ensures that her creative process aligns with her values by collaborating with individuals and suppliers who share her vision for a more responsible and eco-conscious jewellery industry.
Amy's latest collection focuses on fossil fuels, particularly the issue of oil spills, which lead to damaged ecosystems, soil contamination, and impacts on the basic needs of animals.
The Mourning Sea
The theme was inspired by research on the Industrial Revolution, when we began to use fossil fuels, and the discovery of Romantic shipwrecks. Romanticism emerged as a response to industrialisation; artists of this movement viewed nature as a powerful, sublime force that we should reconnect with and protect.
Shipwrecks were often depicted by artists to illustrate the power of nature over human creations. At first glance, these paintings present beautiful scenery, but upon closer inspection, one can see the underlying tragedy. There is a correlation between these shipwrecks and oil spills, exemplified by the striking patterns of oil spills on the ocean and their tragic impacts.
This collection uses a Romantic shipwreck of a 19th-century schooner, similar to those in Knud Baade's paintings, as an allegory for modern oil spills. The form of the pieces is inspired by Victorian mourning jewellery, which was also popularised during the Industrial Revolution. The use of Whitby jet represents petroleum.
The collection serves as a mourning tribute; if no action is taken, we will soon have to mourn our planet.
About The Jeweller
Amy Cushnaghan is a Franco-British artist from Compiègne, France, who discovered her passion for jewellery design during a work experience at age 14. This early interest led her to develop her skills independently before pursuing formal education in the UK. After completing a general lycée program, she joined the Art and Design Foundation at Loughborough University, where she explored various creative disciplines.She later enrolled in the Higher National Diploma in Jewellery & Silversmithing at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, drawn by its traditional-meets-modern approach and industry connections. Keen to deepen her experience, Amy worked at Andra Jewels and apprenticed with James Newman Jewellery, where she still trains today.Through continued study in the HND and BA Design for Industry course, Amy refined her craft and artistic voice. However, growing awareness of the jewellery industry's environmental impact made her question her career path. Inspired by sustainable brands like E.C.One, Amy remains committed to reshaping the industry through eco-conscious practices and advocacy for positive change.
Get in touch
If you are interested in receiving further information from Amy in regards to her work please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Find me on Instagram @cushnaghanjewellery
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