Ryan McClean

Silversmith

Breaking the mould

Ryan's sources of inspiration are nature, science and maths
He trained with masters Rod Kelly and Malcom Appleby
He combines traditional skills with innovative technologies

At school, when he was told by teachers that he couldn’t do something, Ryan McClean set out to demonstrate that he could. This is the determination that now, as a silversmith, pushes him to create objects using unusual and daring techniques. For example, his Ballistic beakers, cups in pure silver 999 with gold plated interiors, are shot bottom-first at a rock using a technique he calls 'propane forming', so their bases crumple on impact. Ryan has always been fascinated by nature. From his Sheffield workshop he designs pieces based on the study of the natural world and the science behind pattern formation such as golden ratio, fractals and microscopic images.

Where

Interview

When did your fascination with maths begin?: I have always found it aesthetically pleasing to look at a leaf or a tree and see the way it grows and the mathematical patterns within that. If I can use these mathematics, these rules, then I should be able to give the proper proportions to the objects I create.
How did you get the idea for the Ballistic beakers?: It’s a sort of boy’s toy; it’s playing around with explosions and tin cans. Me and my friends used to get drunk, go down to the park and shoot beer cans, so I thought, what would happen if I put some silver in this and shot it?
How do you combine traditional skills and new technologies?: I'm trying to hand raise and chase some of the 3D printed designs I make so I can fool people. I had enough of people thinking that I 'cheat' and that all I do is push one button, so I’m now making pieces that look 3D printed but actually aren’t.
Why was it important to set up your workshop in Sheffield?: I moved to Sheffield because of its long metalworking history. Stainless steel was invented here and the part of town I am in has always been full of little workshops and people working with metal. If I need a gold plater or an engraver, it's easy just to walk down the road and find somebody.

Ryan McClean is a master artisan: he began his career in 2005 and he started teaching in 2008