Graham’s gift is one to treasure
Warm tribute to acclaimed silversmith
Graham Stewart, who has died aged 65, is widely regarded as one of the finest silversmiths of his generation.
He was born in Bridge of Allan the youngest son of William Morrice Stewart, also a silversmith, and his wife, Elizabeth (nee Leishman).
He was educated at Dollar Academy and studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen from 1973-77. He also had informal apprenticeships with silversmith Malcolm Appleby and jewellery designers Normangrant and Roger Doyle.
Graham opened his own workshop and gallery in Dunblane High Street in 1978 and countless people have spoken of finding his shop a serene and restful place, suffused with something of the gentleness and warmth of the man. He also built up a wider audience with successful exhibitions at the annual Goldsmiths’ Fair in London and he became a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in 1996.
Nature was a constant source of inspiration to him: an interesting seedhead, or a crocus bursting forth from the ground, seen when he and his wife Elizabeth were out walking their dogs, would be sketched by Graham on his return home before taking shape in silver in due course.
He was inspired by his deep love of poetry which flowed seamlessly into the magnificent calligraphy that adorned much of his work. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of the University of Stirling for his outstanding contribution to arts and crafts.
His work is internationally acclaimed and can be found in royal, public and private collections including the centrepiece bowl at the British Embassy in Washington, DC and the Honours of Scotland sculpture which was unveiled by HM The Queen on the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2004.
Yet, for all his undoubted success, Graham remained a deeply humble and gentle man and retained a lovely capacity for wonder and appreciation. He has been a good friend to many people in Dunblane and far beyond. His very generous gift of a communion cup to Dunblane Cathedral, designed by him and made in his workshop, is something that I suspect will be treasured and used for many generations to come.
One of my abiding memories of Graham was of him reading poetry by Seamus Heaney to me from his hospital bed. Not for the first time, nor the last, did I feel more blessed by Graham’s company than I suspect he could ever have been by mine.
Graham is survived by his wife Elizabeth, their children Thomas and Hannah and their grandson Ivor.
Dunblane’s Cathedral minister Rev Colin Renwick has paid tribute to renowned silversmith Graham Stewart following his recent death. Here, the minister describes the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane man, who was heralded for his craftsmanship.