Handcrafted by renowned Dunblane-based glass artist Elin Isaksson, the art prizes, as part of The SAY Award Design Commission, feature stunning recycled glass with colours drawn from Scotland’s natural landscape.
Since its inception, The SAY Award Design Commission has funded makers to create bespoke prizes for the musicians recognised at The SAY Award Ceremony.
Previous prizes have included jesmonite arches, natural slate veneer lamps, and statuesque low-carbon concrete totems, from Stirling-based makers Brutal Concrete Workshop.
The SAY Award and Stirling Council invited local makers to respond to the brief and asked to consider how they would embed sustainability into the award production with Dunblane-based contemporary glass maker Elin Isaksson appointed as this year’s maker.
Originally from Sweden, Elin moved to Scotland in 2001, where her passion for glass blowing led her to graduating from Edinburgh College of Art. Her unique sand-casted sculptures and contemporary hand-blown accessories have received national and international acclaim, and her glass can be found in many galleries. When not undertaking commissions, she teaches the ancient craft of glass blowing at her Dunblane studio.
Elin has created unique sand-casted glass sculptures for each of the nine Shortlist artists, as well as prizes for the recipients of Modern Scottish Classic Award and Sound of Young Scotland Award winners, plus one very special larger glass sculpture enhanced with real 23.5 carat gold for The SAY Award’s ultimate winner.
All of the awards were cast from naturally occuring rocks found by Elin close to her Dunblane studio, and each reflects the light differently thanks to the hand pouring of the molten glass and its interaction with coloured shards recycled from previous projects.
Elin’s work is influenced by the minimalist designs taught in her early training at the Orrefors Glass School, and the colours of the Scottish landscape which feature prominently in her pieces.
She describes her work as Scandinavian design, made in Scotland. One of only a handful of glassblowers left in Scotland, Elin’s work will be celebrated at an exhibition at Tolbooth Stirling in February 2025 as winner of The SAY Award Design Commission.
Delighted with the results
Elin Isaksson said, “The Design Commission challenged me to scrutinise my use of all of the resources involved in my glass making. It enabled me to experiment, to seek creative new ways to reduce waste, and has strengthened the sustainability of my practice. I’m delighted with the results.
"These awards are sand-cast from natural rocks I’ve found near my Dunblane studio. The colours come from adding the gem-like fragments of coloured glass from previous commissions to hand poured clear molten glass, making each award unique.
"The winner’s award also includes 23.5 carat gold. I look forward to sharing prototypes of the awards and my wider work at my exhibition at the Tollbooth, Stirling in February next year.”
Elin Isaksson is the third Stirling-based maker appointed by the Design Commission to create bespoke awards for The SAY Award.
Look amazing
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Brisley said, “The unique awards designed by Elin look amazing and are more than fitting to celebrate the best of Scottish music over the last year. The SAY Award Design Commission has been a brilliant initiative to help Stirling’s creative community to put their work into the national spotlight as we have seen over the last three years.
“With only one week to go until The SAY Award Ceremony takes place at Stirling’s Albert Halls, we cannot wait to once again welcome music lovers, artists and industry representatives alike to our city as we celebrate our 900th anniversary.”
More info and final tickets
Welcoming Scotland’s music industry to Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October, the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) will crown the winner of the £20,000 prize whilst celebrating all 10 albums on this year’s SAY Award Shortlist, with the Ceremony hosted by broadcasters Nicola Meighan and Vic Galloway.
The SAY Award Shortlist for 2024, with all albums in the running to win the £20,000 first prize and coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year is:
- Arab Strap I'm totally fine with it👍don't give a f**k anymore👍
- Barry Can't Swim When Will We Land?
- Becky Sikasa The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
- alto Bad With Names
- Dead Pony IGNORE THIS
- Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand Willson Williams
- Lucia & The Best Boys Burning Castles
- Rachel Sermanni Dreamer Awake
- rEDOLENT dinny greet
- Theo Bleak Pain
Guests on the night will enjoy live performances from three-time former SAY Award nominee Bemz, DJ Rebecca Vasmant and 2023’s Sound of Young Scotland winners No Windows, plus a tribute to the winner of this year’s Modern Scottish Classic Award, ‘Grit’ by Martyn Bennett.
Final SAY Award Ceremony tickets from www.sayaward.com
