[1] She was one of a number of European-trained jewellers who came to New Zealand in the 1960s and transformed contemporary jewellery in that country, including Jens Hoyer Hansen, Kobi Bosshard and Gunter Taemmler.

[2] Ashken attended the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, where she was awarded a diploma in silversmithing in 1960, and also studied sculpture at the Atelier de Del Debbio in Paris the following year.

[7] In 1967 Ashken was the second artist to be awarded the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship, an opportunity for her to spend a year in Dunedin developing ideas for large sculptures.

[9] Ashken said she got the idea for the Albatross sculpture while walking along a beach in Island Bay in 1979 and seeing waves crashing around rocks.

[3]: 158 In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, Ashken was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sculpture, silversmithing and jewellery.