Severina Royle‘s brief was to make an artefact that documents the practices of the jewellery and metalwork students at Sheffield Hallam University. There were many ways to document processes like sand casting, investment casting and the lost wax process. Despite being a Graphics student, Royle had previously studied these making processes, and thanks to Hallam’s different facilities technicians and tutors, she was able to observe the Jewellery and metalwork students, so that she could develop this project.

After joining a workshop and casting a spider through investment casting, Royle was compelled to try casting herself, leading to the process of composing her own Medal and entering the Jewellery and metalwork British Art Medal society competition, along with the current Jewellery students.

Royle created a medal with a copper back and engraved it with the chosen text subject that represents how butterfly spaces in the UK have declined in the past fifty years, possibly leading to their extinction in the future. This work is currently featured in the British Art Medal society book and will be available to be bought on the society’s websites.