Scottish designer and silversmith David Taylor is a multifaceted craftsman based in the Swedish countryside, where he lives and works in his studio-home. Known for his unconventional approach to materials, Taylor blends refined silversmithing with the raw qualities of industrial waste, particularly aluminum—a material he values for its flexibility, recyclability, and creative potential. His work bridges the boundaries between art, design, and function, combining seriousness and playfulness in equal measure. Guided by intuition and a deep fascination with materials, Taylor often works on several pieces at once, allowing ideas to evolve organically. A graduate of Swedish design school Konstfack, he has built an award-winning career that challenges conventions of craftsmanship and celebrates the beauty of imperfection.
What does Scottishness mean to you?
I am confronted with my Scottishness every day. Living in Sweden, the cultural differences—of which there are many—require certain level of sensitivity. The obvious contrasts are easier to navigate, but the smaller, more subtle differences can take a lifetime to absorb (I’ve been here since 1989!) Yet, my Scottishness remains ever-present. It can’t be reduced or removed; it’s simply part of who I am. Over time, I’ve added a layer of Swedishness, but it hasn’t diminished the Scottish part of my identity—it’s my DNA, ingrained in my world view and the foundation of my sense of humor.
What value does craft have in daily life?
Craft in many ways defines me (apart from the Scottishness of course) and absolutely defines my practice, it’s the root that everything comes from. I'm a material specialist and technique nerd and it's through experimentation with material and ways to manipulate material that ideas are developed. When I go into my studio it’s most often without an agenda other than refining the process to create forward momentum, what actually gets made in there could almost be considered as secondary.
The notion of craft and it’s deeper meaning also affects how I look at the world, colouring my views on the modern life style and how we got to where we are.
