wayne victor meeten

is a highly regarded British master goldsmith/silversmith and designer. He has consistently won major awards and prizes from organisations such as the Crafts Council and Goldsmiths Company as well as many scholarships, from his first year as a student. He studied at the Sir John Cass Metropolitan University in London, where he gained a Masters degree with Distinction.

He now lectures at the Sir John Cass and has been a visiting lecturer in many countries.

mokume gane

In 1999, Wayne was offered a place at the prestigious Arts and Crafts University of Japan (Tokyo Geidai). He was tutored by the late Professor Hirotoshi Itoh (a Japanese National Treasure), the world-renowned sculptor Mr Masanobu Kitoh and Mr Norio Tamagawa, considered to be the leading expert on mokume gane living in Japan today.

Mokume gane is an extremely painstaking, difficult technique of fusing layers of metal together in a sheet and manipulating repeatedly until combinations of metals in varying hues form grain-like patterns. As many as thirty two different layers of metals can be combined and can be as diverse as silver and copper (called Shakudo). Combinations of metals that would not be considered in the west are perfectly acceptable if the colours add to the harmony of the piece.

The resulting sheet, or block of metal, is then shaped with tegane chisels to reveal the organic patterns. With skill, the seemingly random patterns can be controlled, even predicted. Wayne has spent many years perfecting this technique.

shibori

The technique of hand-raising sculptural objects from a single flat sheet of metal. The process requires working from the inside of the piece, whereas most western techniques work on the outside. So to the unknowing eye, a shibori object is sometimes assumed to have been cast - as opposed to made entirely by hand.

design

Wayne produces unique pieces, from large sculptural vessels to fine contemporary jewellery. A great influence on Wayne's design approach is Tai Chi Chuan, where everything in nature moves in complete harmony, flowing with the natural elements.

His work is now in many collections and museums around the world. Nearly all his work is made to private commission or for galleries.