Helena Russell

Helena Russell is a Sheffield based silversmith who takes inspiration from machinal movements and mechanisms when designing and creating her one-off pieces.

Helena graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a BA Hons in Jewellery and Metalwork and an MA in Design. Throughout her studies she focused her design development on interaction, exploring the movement of an object with fittings and connections as well as how we hold and use drinking vessels, and how the form of the vessel can encourage different sensory responses and experiences.

Helena is currently based in Persistence Works, Yorkshire Artspace, Sheffield in the Starter Studio, a programme for early career Silversmiths and Jewellers, here she has been developing her practice and body of work which she has taken to exhibitions and craft fairs including Goldsmiths Fair and New Designers. Helena presented work at Goldsmiths Fair again between 4 and 10 October 2021. In 2016 she received the Contemporary British Silversmiths Design in Silver Award.

Francisca Onumah & Helena Russell, Invaluable Tool, 2021. Commissioned for Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open. Installation view at Jerwood Space. Photo: Anna Arca.