Biography:

Stephen Bottomley trained at the Royal College of Art (1999-2001) having previously studied at West Surrey College of Art and Design and the University of Brighton, which included a key period within Rhode Island School of Designs’ metal programme (USA 1998).

Stephen established his first studio in 1990 in Brighton with a Prince’s Trust Grant and exhibited his work regularly galleries who included the Scottish gallery, Electrum gallery and Lesley Craze. Balancing his time between his studio and work as an associate lecturer he regularly taught at Hastings College of Art, the University of Brighton and the Surrey Institute of Design, before relocating to Sheffield in 2004 as course leader of Metalwork and Jewellery at Sheffield Hallam University.

Between the years 2004-2007 he divided his time between jewellery research projects, his academic post and voluntary work as the fourth chairman for the Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ). In 2008 he took up post as Head of Jewellery and Silversmithing at Edinburgh College of Art.

Jewellery is represented by the Crafts Council and Scottish gallery and held in collections by the British Museum, Royal College of Art and South East Arts and Crafts.