Iona Lundie is a graduate of The Glasgow School of Art. Iona is a designer maker based in Lanarkshire whose work explores the rich cultural heritage of fire festivals in Scotland; events which have occurred annually across the country for hundreds of years. Iona attends these festivals and collects burnt wood in order to research material, shape and texture directly from the source.

Iona creates contemporary jewellery and sculptural objects for the home. There is a strong emphasis on repetition in her work, both in the lines, shapes and textures of the remaining burnt firewood. The circle is important as it leads from one moment to another as well as providing a nod to the recurring calendar of events and casting allows for Iona to accurately represent textures and build up larger pieces from repeated elements.

With oxidised surfaces contrasting to brighter gold, silver and bronze sections Iona creates statement objects that are eye-catching on a larger scale to be seen and celebrated much like the fires. The work often functions both as sculpture as well as adornment for the body with each piece striving to celebrate the transformation from one state to another such as wood to ash and dark to light.

Iona’s work is further influenced by the natural beauty of Scottish woodlands. Iona spends time in nature to gathering inspiration and translating the natural world into contemporary adornment.

Glasgow Society of Women Artists Graduate Award

The Graduate Award was a new award from The Glasgow Society of Women Artists.

Iona was the first recipient and was awarded at the opening of the society's annual exhibition. The award included membership to the society and the opportunity to exhibit new work, both jewellery and small objects, with the other members.

Goldsmiths Precious Metal Bursary

The Goldsmiths’ Company ‘Precious Metal Bursary Award’ is a prestigious national competition for final year students at UK colleges and universities studying goldsmithing, jewellery, silversmithing or related subjects at HND, or BA Degree levels.

Iona was awarded this significant bursary in order to produce a design proposal for an 18ct Gold and Silver Kilt Pin, an elegant large scale design using a range of techniques and processes new to her working process.

JD Kelly Memorial Award

The JD Kelly Memorial Award is presented to a first year student in the Glasgow School of Art Design School. John Donald Kelly was the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the GSA until 1969.  

Iona was chosen as the winner by the GSA Awards Committee for her jewellery and object project submissions throughout first year.