Alice McLean (MA RCA 2012) is a London-based jewellery artist and artist educator who explores the expressive power of materials through process and transformation. She constructs jewellery, objects and films that challenge assumptions of what a material is used for, thereby subverting its traditional meaning. Her work ultimately addresses the notion of value in the realm of precious metals and jewellery.
Alice is a co-founder of Making Enhanced, a collective of designers and historians interested in cross-disciplinary collaboration. Alice also works in schools and hospitals running therapeutic art workshops for adults and children.
Selected Exhibitions
2021 - Current
We Are Commoners - Craftspace, Touring Show currently at The Hub, Sleaford
2015
Making Enhanced, COLLECT Open 2015, Saatchi Gallery, London
High Noon, L Store Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2015 Beijing International Jewellery Art Biennial, Beijing, China
2014
Light Reflections, Mint Gallery, London
Stand and See, Wimbledon Space, London
Gallery Deux Poisson, Tokyo, Japan
2013
Christmas showcase, Concept Store, Selfridges, London
Shine, Goldsmiths Centre for London Design Festival, London
2013 Beijing International Jewelry Art Biennial, Beijing, China
Porte Bonheur (prize winners exhibition), Vicenza, Italy
2012
'Not your usual Christmas', Concept Store, Selfridges, London
International Graduate Show, Galerie Marzee, Njmegen, Holland
RCA Paradise, Lambrate, Milan
Give and Take, Galerie Marzee, Njmegen, Holland
Education
2010-2012 Royal College of Art, MA Jewellery and Metalwork
2007-2010 Falmouth University, BA (Hons) Contemporary Crafts
Employment
2019-current Specialist Art Instructor, Bethlem Royal Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
2018-current Creative Mentor and Project Manager, Creative Mentors Foundation
2014-2019 Deputy Manager, The Art Room UK
Awards and Residencies
2016 a-n Professional Development Bursary for a 'gemstone carving' course with Charlotte De Syllas
2013-2014 Artist in residence at Camberwell College of Arts - UAL
2013 3rd Prize Next Generation Jewellery Talent Contest, Vicenza, Italy
2013 Crafts Council Hot House - Maker Development programme