A BROOCH made from an Irn-Bru can has won a prestigious gold award at the jewellery ‘Oscars’.

It was one of 27 prizes picked up by Glasgow School of Art at the 2023 Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Awards in London.

Glasgow School of Art tutor Andrew Lamb came up with the idea for his IRN-BRUooch during lockdown.

“The Covid restrictions presented huge challenges for teaching, but I was enormously impressed by the creativity and innovative ways in which students embraced projects, especially in the use of alternative or sustainable materials and found objects,” said Andrew.

“This reminded me of the joy of working in different ways, and breaking through my own ‘creative block’ by exploring unusual material qualities.”

Andrew created the spiral-effect brooch using a long aluminium thread cut by hand from an empty IRN-BRU can, and a precious platinum ribbon.

Antiques Roadshow expert Joanna Hardy, who was one of the judges, said: “Andrew Lamb hit gold with both his design entries combining fine craftsmanship and technology. I instantly picked up Andrew’s brooch - I was so impressed with it, especially when I found out what it was made from. I always try to convey that it is how materials are successfully worked that is what is important, not the value of the material alone.”

Andrew won four awards for the brooch and his Vortex Necklace.

“I am proud to have won these prestigious awards with a piece that speaks of my Scottish heritage, raises questions of value and the importance of using sustainable materials,” he said.

Professor Stephen Bottomley, head of the School of Design at the GSA, said: “We are immensely proud of our students, staff and Artists-in-Residence whose creativity and innovative designs so impressed the judges at this year’s awards."