Militsa Milenkova. Glasgow School of Art. New Talents Award Nominee 2024
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NewTalentsByKlimt02
Artists
Published: 30.12.2024
The 10th edition of the New Talent Award 2024 by Klimt02 aims to recognize the work of graduate students in our field by supporting their careers in the professional world. Nominated by our school members, one of the selected graduates will win the New Talents Award.
Through this body of work, I hope to provoke reflection on the complex dynamics of family, identity, belonging and cultural dislocation. Encouraging a deeper understanding of the personal and collective history and narratives embedded in everyday objects and how those narratives transcend borders and time.
>> Check out all the 2024 New Talents Nominees
Name of graduation student: Militsa Milenkova
Name of guiding teacher: Andrew Lamb
Nominated by Glasgow School of Art
Militsa Milenkova gently provokes us to consider the value of ordinary objects, family, memories, and a sense of place or belonging. There is a beautiful interplay between the deeply personal heirlooms that Militsa uses as a starting point and the pieces she creates. This balance of the past and the present, materiality, sensitivity in the making process, and careful consideration of detail is presented in an impactful and skillfully constructed body of sculptural metalwork and jewellery.
/ Andrew Lamb. Lecturer and Reader, Silversmithing & Jewellery at The Glasgow School of Art
The statement of the artist:
The collection explores the impact of immigrating at a very young age on my relationship with my extended family. I gather ordinary objects which belonged to my relatives and contemplate how these seemingly insignificant items, can hold so many memories and personal significance.
Focusing on the negative space within these familiar objects, I create pieces that fit inside or around them. Acting as metaphors for being a part of my family, yet detached from it. The collection playfully engages with the function of each object, reimagining their form and purpose through functional, decorative, and wearable designs.
Utilising traditional metalsmithing techniques, the pieces are crafted in distinct parts or as pairs, reflecting the duality of a life lived and one left behind. The contrasting materials symbolize the emotional split between my current reality and the cultural and familial heritage that remains distant.
An empty case for glasses, once belonging to my grandfather, was the starting point of the collection. The empty space inside of it, became the inspiration for the concept of ‘filling the void' metaphorically and literally. I created a box referring to the case being a container and a pendant alluding to an eyewear retainer's role in holding something important close at all times.
The candleholder responds to a clock, symbolising the passing of time through the burning of the candle. Its dynamic design follows the original clock’s shape and tilted position. The piece consists of four detachable parts that slot together.
The two containers respond to a ceramic muffin dish and sugar bowl and are made to fit comfortably inside of these. As a nod to the golden tips on the ceramic handles, a hidden wearable pin is incorporated in one’s silver handle.
The set of two wall pieces respond to a watch once worn by my grandfather, representing what is no longer there. By piercing out the shape of the watch in silver and sand blasting its silhouette on the gilding metal, a ‘shadow’ is created. Even when the silver piece is removed, the watch’s presence lingers.
The pendant and ring set explores the concept of value and subverts traditional norms by using silver to create a measuring scale - an object typically made from base metal to weigh precious items - and a wedding band crafted in brass instead of gold.
The ring fits exactly in the cavity on the back of my grandfather’s pocket scale. The solder join is messy, emphasizing that precious doesn't mean perfect, rare or expensive; it simply needs to mean something to you.
The pendant refers to the object’s function, acting as a scale when hanging from it. The shape of the ring is sand blasted on the silver to mark where it should sit so the scale can balance.
Ultimately, this collection invites viewers to engage in an open dialogue about the universal challenges of immigration and the personal sacrifices that come with such a venture.
Through this body of work, I hope to provoke reflection on the complex dynamics of family, identity, belonging and cultural dislocation. Encouraging a deeper understanding of the personal and collective history and narratives embedded in everyday objects and how those narratives transcend borders and time.
Contact:
Mail: milenkovamilitsa@gmail.com
Website: https://www.militsamilenkova.com/
Instagram: @militsa_milenkova
Facebook: Militsa Milenkova Jewellery
LinkedIn: Militsa Milenkova
Twitter (X): @MillyMilenkova
Find out more about the courses at Glasgow School of Art
Name of guiding teacher: Andrew Lamb
Nominated by Glasgow School of Art
Militsa Milenkova gently provokes us to consider the value of ordinary objects, family, memories, and a sense of place or belonging. There is a beautiful interplay between the deeply personal heirlooms that Militsa uses as a starting point and the pieces she creates. This balance of the past and the present, materiality, sensitivity in the making process, and careful consideration of detail is presented in an impactful and skillfully constructed body of sculptural metalwork and jewellery.
/ Andrew Lamb. Lecturer and Reader, Silversmithing & Jewellery at The Glasgow School of Art
The statement of the artist:
The collection explores the impact of immigrating at a very young age on my relationship with my extended family. I gather ordinary objects which belonged to my relatives and contemplate how these seemingly insignificant items, can hold so many memories and personal significance.
Focusing on the negative space within these familiar objects, I create pieces that fit inside or around them. Acting as metaphors for being a part of my family, yet detached from it. The collection playfully engages with the function of each object, reimagining their form and purpose through functional, decorative, and wearable designs.
Utilising traditional metalsmithing techniques, the pieces are crafted in distinct parts or as pairs, reflecting the duality of a life lived and one left behind. The contrasting materials symbolize the emotional split between my current reality and the cultural and familial heritage that remains distant.
An empty case for glasses, once belonging to my grandfather, was the starting point of the collection. The empty space inside of it, became the inspiration for the concept of ‘filling the void' metaphorically and literally. I created a box referring to the case being a container and a pendant alluding to an eyewear retainer's role in holding something important close at all times.
The candleholder responds to a clock, symbolising the passing of time through the burning of the candle. Its dynamic design follows the original clock’s shape and tilted position. The piece consists of four detachable parts that slot together.
The two containers respond to a ceramic muffin dish and sugar bowl and are made to fit comfortably inside of these. As a nod to the golden tips on the ceramic handles, a hidden wearable pin is incorporated in one’s silver handle.
The set of two wall pieces respond to a watch once worn by my grandfather, representing what is no longer there. By piercing out the shape of the watch in silver and sand blasting its silhouette on the gilding metal, a ‘shadow’ is created. Even when the silver piece is removed, the watch’s presence lingers.
The pendant and ring set explores the concept of value and subverts traditional norms by using silver to create a measuring scale - an object typically made from base metal to weigh precious items - and a wedding band crafted in brass instead of gold.
The ring fits exactly in the cavity on the back of my grandfather’s pocket scale. The solder join is messy, emphasizing that precious doesn't mean perfect, rare or expensive; it simply needs to mean something to you.
The pendant refers to the object’s function, acting as a scale when hanging from it. The shape of the ring is sand blasted on the silver to mark where it should sit so the scale can balance.
Ultimately, this collection invites viewers to engage in an open dialogue about the universal challenges of immigration and the personal sacrifices that come with such a venture.
Through this body of work, I hope to provoke reflection on the complex dynamics of family, identity, belonging and cultural dislocation. Encouraging a deeper understanding of the personal and collective history and narratives embedded in everyday objects and how those narratives transcend borders and time.
Contact:
Mail: milenkovamilitsa@gmail.com
Website: https://www.militsamilenkova.com/
Instagram: @militsa_milenkova
Facebook: Militsa Milenkova Jewellery
LinkedIn: Militsa Milenkova
Twitter (X): @MillyMilenkova
Find out more about the courses at Glasgow School of Art
Pendant: Pendant & Box for a Glasses Case, 2024
Sterling silver, cotton, rubber and gilding metal
7.5 x 6 x 1.5 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
Pendant: 1383 €
Box: 1239 €
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Wall piece: Wall Piece for a Watch, 2024
Gilding metal and sterling silver
30 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm and 25.5 x 4 x 1 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
Oval Wall piece: 2104 €
Wall piece: 1179 €
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Wall piece: Wall Piece for a Watch, 2024
Gilding metal and sterling silver
30 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm and 25.5 x 4 x 1 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
Oval Wall piece: 2104 €
Wall piece: 1179 €
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Object: Candleholder for a Clock, 2024
Sterling silver, gilding metal
11 x 11 x 12.5 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 4076 €
Object: Candleholder for a Clock, 2024
Sterling silver, gilding metal
11 x 11 x 12.5 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 4076 €
Object: Container For a Muffin Dish, 2024
Sterling silver, gilding metal
11 x 11 x 10 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 3186 €
Object: Container For a Muffin Dish, 2024
Sterling silver, gilding metal
11 x 11 x 10 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
Alternative view
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 3186 €
Object: Container for a Sugar Bowl, 2024
Sterling silver, gilding metal
6.5 x 6.5 x 8 cm
Photo by: Militsa Milenkova
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 2044 €
Pendant: Pendant and a Ring for a Pocket Scale, 2024
Sterling silver, brass
8.5 x 8.5 x 1 cm and ø1.9 x 0.3 cm
Photo by: Ryan Gibson
From series: What Could Have Been but Never Was
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 1263 €
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