Familytiesinspirejeweller
MULTI- AWARD winning Sligo Jewellery designer Martina Hamilton will launch her new film “The Island Links” this Thursday the 10th of November.
The film marks her discovery of family ties with Dernish Island, just off the North Coast of Sligo across from the Milk Harbour and it was an inspiration for her new line of jewellery called “The Links Collection”.
The collection entwines rose gold and silver, both smooth and textured, representing her relationship with past and future, and her family connections that have endured through life’s journey.
“The new collection is so simple, but it has such a huge meaning. Everybody has their place where they go to be creative, whether you’re a writer and you go sit on an arm chair, for me it was the Island.” said Martina.
Martina explains how she discovered that her great great grandmother Anne Gillan, lived on Dernish: “It’s a story that would only happen in Ireland!
“Two Americans walked into Mullaneys and John goes ‘ I know your people, you’re a Gillan’. I found out that they were my third or fourth cousins. Thanks to my mother and neighbours we managed to piece the story back together.”
The magical discovery led Martina to think about connection and what a place means to her: “The Link collection has such a literal and physical meaning. While the pieces might not be exciting vis visually they have a nice feel about them. However the rose gold link jewellery will be exclusive to Sligo only.”
Directed by journalist Susan O’Keefe, the film was done as a way of personally marking a moment in time for Martina.
“Itwasalovelythingtodiscoverthelink. Atthemo- ment ment we are hoping to workw on a sequel to the film.” added Martina.
Original music accompanies the film written by David Lawlor and Martina’s husband, Malcolm Hamilton.
Coming from a small family team of master goldsmiths, together they have created a variety of award- winning jewellery collections. Many which are now stocked by Ireland’s most exclusive retailers.
Martina’s collections are available at her shop The Cat and the Moon which also stocks a wide range of fine art and craft, all handmade in Ireland.
In 2011, she opened the Hamilton Gallery, featuring a continuous programme of solo and group exhibitions by Ireland’s leading contemporary visual artists.
Having studied fine art and design in Sligo IT she is also an elected member of the board of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
The Island Links will launch next Thursday the 10th of November as part of Sligo Design Week at the Cat and the Moon from 6.00- 7.00pm.