First Minister receives climate change inspired brooch for COP26

City of Glasgow College jewellery student, Aileen Dickie Adams, has presented Scotland’s First Minister with a brooch to wear at COP26.

The College challenged HND jewellery students to design a brooch for the First Minister that would highlight the issue of rising sea levels due to Climate Change.

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, selected Aileen’s design which took inspiration from the Corryvreckan whirlpool, situated near the Isle of Jura. She was presented with the brooch during a visit to the college’s Riverside campus to mark the official opening of the International Maritime Hub for COP26.

On receiving the brooch, the First Minister thanked Aileen and said she would wear it with enormous pride.

Aileen, who also won a major prize at the 2020 British Art Medal Society Student Awards, said:

“I am truly honoured to have my design chosen as the winner by the First Minister, and am beyond excited to take my 3D computer design through to actual creation. Projects like this competition encourage us as student designers/makers to seriously consider the impact that our creations can have on the world around us, not just through the materials we use but also the message that our work can convey.

“Thanks to the support of the competition sponsors I have had access to ethically-sourced materials with which to produce the final piece, and have gained more knowledge in the process on how the materials we work with impact upon our environment, people and the world at large. To know that my final piece will be worn by the First Minister on a global stage is rather overwhelming and makes me immensely proud.”

Lisa McGovern, Curriculum Head of Craft & Design at City of Glasgow College, said:

“As 2021 is Visit Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, we asked our students to research the effect Climate Change was having on our waters and design a brooch using ethical precious metals. Each brooch was truly unique and a testament to our students’ talent, commitment and continued resilience in what has been a challenging year.

“Aileen’s stunning design captured both theme and spirit perfectly. Chosen by the First Minister, we are looking forward to seeing her wearing it during COP26, giving it a global audience and hopefully helping to raise awareness of the critical issues surrounding Climate Change.”

The brooch was 3D printed in plant based resin then cast in recycled silver, courtesy of Vipa Designs Ltd. Under the expert mentoring of tutor, Maciek Sandowski, Aileen finished the piece using an ancient Japanese technique, Keum Boo, to inlay Fairtrade gold, provided by Scottish Fair Trade Forum, CETS (Co-operative Education Trust Scotland), and City of Glasgow College.