Irene Gunston
Irene is a talented sculptor and medallist and has been a stalwart member of BAMS from the 1990’s when she was introduced to medal making in London. She created a medal that was included in the International Art Medal Federation (FIDEM) exhibition held in London in 1992. Following this, she was a member of BAMS Council from 1996 to 2020, serving as a BAMS secretary for nine years during that time. Irene has mentored two BAMS New Medallists, Petra Mills and Claire Poulter, and has always been a source to go to for advice about medals, leading several successful workshops. Irene organised the Canterbury BAMS Conference in 2007 and one in West Dean in 2004 along with Peter Bagwell Purefoy. She also organised the 2017 BAMS Annual Conference in Carmarthen, which included one of the most dramatic pours of iron ever experienced by members. Irene taught at the foundry of the Royal College of Art and held a BAMS demonstration there for members to learn about casting.
Since moving to Wales, Irene has taught at Carmarthen College and she maintains a close working connection with the sculpture department there. Irene has now set up her own foundry at home, to cast her own work, and that of others, often hosting students. Her most recent BAMS medal was cast at her home foundry. Her three BAMS medals, issued in 1991, 1999 and 2020, have been very successful, as have her home cast medal stands, and she exhibits regularly at FIDEM. Irene has contributed articles to The Medal, BAMS magazine, and she was the subject of an article by Marcy Leavitt Bourne in Spring 2022. She has given regular talks to The Money & Medals Network, which aims to act as an information exchange for museum professionals within the UK whose collections include coins, medals, and other numismatic objects.