Synchronise Creating Craft Collaborations 09 March - 02 June 2013
Synchronise: Creating Craft Collaborations In 2012, Design Factory set its membership a challenge - to team up with another maker or group of makers to produce a new
collaborative body of work to be exhibited in the organisation’s inaugural exhibition at The National Centre for Craft & Design.
Synchronise is more than an exhibition; it acts as a catalyst for new ways of working and skill sharing. Six months ago partnerships
were formed to investigate collaboration and how this could inform the creative development of the participating makers. Discussion, experimentation, development of ideas and the production of
finished artworks have culminated in this vibrant and thoughtprovoking exhibition.
Some makers have worked together using a mixture of their own
unique skills to create a combined piece for the show whilst others have bravely ‘swapped’ materials or sources of inspiration in order
to learn from one another’s practical methods. A number of makers have used the project as an opportunity to experiment with new scales of work and some have gained practical and intellectual knowledge to further develop their own practice.
Each of the 20 participating members embraced the challenge of ‘Synchronise’ and we are excited to bring you this exhibition of
brand new work which stems from the various interpretations of ‘collaboration’.
www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk 2
Design Factory In partnership with The National Centre for Craft & Design,
Design Factory is proud to present Synchronise: Creating Craft Collaborations.
This is the latest in a series of exhibitions that showcases the work of Design Factory members. The exhibitors taking part
in Synchronise are established and highly regarded designer
makers from Design Factory’s Fellow and Flair membership levels. They are experts in their field with proven track records and a
wealth of experience of exhibiting and selling work in the UK and internationally.
Since 2005 Design Factory has been leading the way in developing
exceptional craft and design talent in the East Midlands and beyond. We promote artistic integrity, raise the standard of craft and design and commercially support and develop designer/makers to help them achieve their ambitions.
Our renowned membership is synonymous with high quality,
creativity and innovation. Tailored to emerging, new, mid-career and established makers, we offer six levels of subscription to support professional development through each membership level.
Visit our website for more details about the designer/makers we represent and for further information about membership.
www.designfactory.org.uk 3
Ruth Singer & Alys Power
Ruth Singer
Alys Power
Ruth is a textile artist with a long-standing
Jewellery made using materials which
of old materials. Ruth’s first career was
recycled. Base materials are mixed with
interest in sustainability and the re-use working in museums, specialising in
historic textiles and this continues to
influence her work as a maker. She creates one-off pieces and collectible objects with a sense of history. Ruth has written three sewing books, Sew It Up, Sew Eco and
Fabric Manipulation, 150 Creative Sewing Techniques, which is published in 2013.
She also runs Ruth Singer Studio, a craft workshop venue in Leicester city centre
where she teaches classes for absolute
beginners, advanced fabric manipulation workshops and runs parties and special events.
are reclaimed, reused, reinvented and
found objects, sterling silver and semi-
precious stones to create unique jewellery and accessories. The work explores the challenges of turning base and ‘scrap’
metals and other discarded articles into objects of beauty and value. Working
with notions of nostalgia and forgotten
memories Alys investigates and invents
the stories and character in her materials. Often narrative, stamped words and
phrases are used to expand on ideas
and as decorative elements. Small found objects and pieces of reclaimed and
vintage jewellery are frequently used.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 4
“
This project has been
“
a brilliant experience
and has revitalised my attitude to my work.
www.ruthsinger.com www.alyspower.co.uk 5
Clare Gage & JC Middlebrook
Clare Gage
JC Middlebrook
The inspiration for the Clare Gage ceramic
Jayne Childs is the designer-maker behind
textiles. Whilst studying Clare found a
in Nottingham since 2010. Driven by the
range comes from her life-long love of new love for weaving and it formed a partnership with a childhood passion
for ceramics. Her designs start life as
fabric pieces hand woven by Clare and
transformed into bespoke moulds which are used to create inspiring porcelain
versions of the textile pieces. The cup
collection was the beginning of the Clare
Gage story and stems from a real affection for the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea. The range has grown
to include a charming selection of vases,
tableware and most recently lace inspired
J.C. Middlebrook, creating beautiful lace lace-making heritage of her home town – Nottingham was once known as the
lace capital of the UK – Jayne is inspired to produce original decorative gifts and
wearable lace for the 21st century. Jayne comes from a long line of seamstresses
and was taught to sew by her mother on her grandmother’s old treadle machine.
She now combines her years of practical experience with the latest digital
technology to create unique contemporary lace.
jewellery.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 6
“
It’s fantastic to be
given an opportunity to design outside of my
current range and work
“
collaboratively with
another designer whose work I love.
www.claregage.com www.jcmiddlebrook.co.uk
7
Katie Almond & Milly Moore
Katie Almond
Milly Moore
Katie produces hand-painted decorative
Milly has been designing and making
brooches using a variety of slip casting
the year 2000. Milly’s original cast silver
porcelain jugs, cups, cake stands and
and hand-building techniques. Each piece is essentially a canvas for decoration
and collage as Katie combines drawings
with found ephemera. Katie is inspired by nostalgia, old paper ephemera, vintage textiles and a love of drawing. Her
collection uses elements from a different
era alongside her own drawings, text and collage. Katie focuses on pattern and
detail using mixed media to collage and
juxtapose the found and made. The pieces
that Katie creates are unique, one-offs that explore a variety of nostalgic themes.
jewellery since setting up her studio in
icons are symbolic representations of the
human themes of love, protection and the
eternal flow of life, inspired by an interest in cultural traditions and imagery and a desire to mark and celebrate poignant moments and events. Each piece is hand made
and unique. Natural pearls and rough-cut gemstones are sourced from around the world and are selected for their colour,
lustre and innate imperfect beauty. The
result is a joyful, wearable and life-affirming collection of elegant and original jewellery.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 8
“
I think it is good to step
out of your comfort zone as a maker and take
“
on a new brief while
learning new skills from each other.
www.katiealmond.co.uk www.millymoore.co.uk
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Kate McBride & Anna Collette Hunt
Kate McBride
Anna Collette Hunt
Kate’s work and designs are based on
Anna works with ceramics to create objects
within clay. She makes unique and quirky
a forgotten, childlike sense of curiosity
collage and the bringing together of ideas porcelain tea services, cake stands and varying sized figures which, if you look carefully, all tell a story.
The style of work incorporates several pieces of porcelain, which are cleverly
positioned together. Ironically Kate’s work
looks ‘beautifully broken’, it is a statement of society’s attitude today and our ‘throw
away society.’ Kate’s initial ideas are skil-
fully created to produce fabulous tongue in cheek pieces of work, which are beautiful to look at and also very entertaining.
of contemporary fine craft that rekindle and delight. Viewers are compelled to
investigate, as they search for the hidden elements and text on the vessels, or
investigate the glazed illustrations with
their hands. The scenes and compositions captured upon the surfaces speak of historic grandeur and past traditions
whilst on closer inspection whisper darker sentiments delicately into your ear. The curiously odd ceramics radiate Anna’s preoccupation with historic houses for
their excessive decoration, opulence, and obsessive natural history collections and specimens.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 10
“
I have learned the importance and
necessity of tea and
cake on the finest plates
“
to be incorporated into one’s daily working routine!
www.katemcbride.co.uk www.annacollettehunt.com 11
Gillian Lee Smith & Gizella K Warburton
Gillian Lee Smith
Gizella K Warburton
Gillian’s work is primarily focussed on
Gizella’s work explores an intuitive
working in paint or textiles or clay. Gillian is
within landscape and surface. Abstract
narrative and storytelling whether that be
drawn to our individual stories, the things
that make us unique; the emotions within, whether they are hidden or revealed to others. Each of us has a collection of
stories, whether they are life changing
experiences or lots of little moments and
memories that make up our history, some get lost along the way, some are carried
with us throughout our lives – remnants;
fragments that are bound up and kept in our consciousness.
response to linear, textural and light detail compositions evolve through the tactile
and contemplative process of drawing with paper, cloth and thread.
Responding directly to material,
marks, relationships of surface and
tone, emotional resonance...forms an
elemental part of creating work. Recent developments include works on slate
grounds, and the introduction of collograph prints as an element of the drawn surfaces and the exploration of this in three dimensional forms.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 12
“
It has been fascinating to observe and discover where our making is similar or completely different. The discussion about this has been enriching and has given us insights into our own particular aesthetic responses and nature of our practice.
www.gillianleesmith.com www.gizellakwarburton.co.uk
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“
Jan Garside & Ruth Singer
Jan Garside
Ruth Singer
Jan Garside is a textile artist who creates
Ruth Singer’s work is inspired by historic
textiles for domestic and corporate
heritage, memory and stories. She uses
bespoke hand dyed and hand woven
environments. She has exhibited widely; venues include the V&A, Origin, Grand Designs, 100% Design and L’Atelier
Gallery in Paris. She has been a selected member of the Crafts Councils prestigious Next Move Scheme and a recipient of
ACE funding. Jan is particularly interested in the nature of light and surface quality. Her gossamer-like hangings radiate an
incandescent, dreamlike quality as they
move and change with the light displaying multiple translucent layers. Jan likes the idea of making something original which
begins with one thread and grows into the
textiles, museum objects, personal
natural and sustainable textiles, paper
and found materials combined with handworked construction techniques such as
pleating, gathering and appliqué as well as hand embroidery and print. Ruth’s work is heavily influenced by her history degree
and first career working in museums and
many of her favourite techniques are based on her own research into historic textiles. Ruth has created commissions for Derby
Museums inspired by African objects and
Shire Hall Gallery based on photographs of Victorian women criminals.
visual expression of an idea.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 14
“
This project has given me the confidence to experiment with different techniques in my work and develop a strong researchfocus which I have already used in another commission.
www.jangarside.com www.ruthsinger.com 15
“
Ann Povey & Peter Moss
Ann Povey
Peter Moss
“Hand making can be deeply alluring and
“This exhibition has required me to
with the tactile elements of the materials,
of one of the ceramic elements has
enlightening. You can become involved
build an intimate relationship with the form and create a piece of work that contains all your ideas, notions and thoughts at a very personal level. The demands
of the materials themselves can often dictate a certain way forward and it is
the experience of those demands that I
relish. Working with clay, glass and metals allows me many opportunities to consider and reconsider my design intentions, and
experience the reactions of the materials to extreme heat that forces them to do what i have asked of them.”
carefully review past practice. The scale required careful technical management.
Firing large work is fraught with difficulty; material selection together with firing and kiln operation must be correctly
controlled. Some cracking occurred but
simple repairs were effective and glazing and surface decoration came together in a series of coloured surfaces which are
typical of much of my previous ceramics. I remain committed to my craft practice
and am still prepared to take chances and then carefully reflect upon the eventual outcomes.”
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 16
“
Through this collaboration I have challenged myself to create a completely new body of work. I am convinced that this will benefit my own practice.
“ www.annpovey.com www.petermoss.me.uk 17
Milly Moore & Suet Yi Yip
Milly Moore
Suet Yi Yip
Milly has been designing and making
“Ceramics and I‌ are bonded by destiny.
creative approach is intuitive; evolving
life.� Suet Yi explores beauty and simplicity
jewellery since the year 2000. Her
without force, and with an appreciation that spontaneity of composition, mark
and design lend to the spirit and beauty of the piece. The possibilities given by
this instinctive approach result in joyful
surprises and soulful jewellery. Milly uses simple traditional silversmithing methods
to give the metal smooth edges and softly textured surfaces. Her original cast silver icons are symbolic representations of the
human themes of love, protection and the eternal flow of life.
It is holding my love for a simple and quiet
from her love of the countryside and enjoys transforming her drawings into 3D objects
using wood and clay. Her inspiration comes from the beauty of wild flowers, falling
leaves, autumn trees and resting birds
which draw her to create a little world of nature. She enjoys the inner peace and
tranquillity of creating with clay. From her playful plates to her minimalist birds and
trees, there is a sensibility as delicate as the materials.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 18
“
We worked well together, each appreciating and trusting the judgement of the other, allowing the design to become shaped by a curious and pleasing natural evolution. www.millymoore.co.uk www.suetyiceramics.co.uk
19
“
Karen Atherley & Kate McBride
Karen Atherley
Kate McBride
Karen’s pots are vividly coloured and
Kate’s work and designs are based on
figurative nudes and faces wrapped
within clay. She makes unique and quirky
decorated with flowing mainly female
around a diverse range of vases, bowls,
cups/saucers and plates. Karen’s unique
figurative style portrays curvy fleshy figures influenced by Greek antiquity and the
colours of the Impressionists. She uses bright ceramic slips painted onto white
earthenware and glazed with transparent glaze to give a lustrous finish. Floral and decorative transfers are then applied in
between the painted figures. Karen’s main aim is to produce a decorative humourous object that has a practical use as well as being eye catching.
collage and the bringing together of ideas porcelain tea services, cake stands and varying sized figures which, if you look
carefully, all tell a story. The unique tea services give the impression of being
elegant and pretty from a distance, except as you move closer to the objects they appear awkward and uncomfortable. The figures are based on myths and
legends, which are then combined with
modern issues and humour consequently
developing into amusing ceramic cartoons. Kate’s initial ideas are skilfully created to
produce fabulous and beautiful tongue in cheek pieces of work.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 20
“
The skills I have learnt for my future practise is how to bring my 2dimensional work much more into my 3 dimensional work and also to feel free with a brush and more at ease with a computer.
“
www.karenatherleyceramics.com www.katemcbride.co.uk 21
Debbie Bryan & Ashi Marwaha
Debbie Bryan
Ashi Marwaha
Debbie is an award winning designer
The architectural geometry of India and
fashion accessories. With a specialist
work. As a student, Ashi recognised how
maker of heritage and nostalgia inspired interest in research and development of knit processes and hand casting,
Debbie’s collections are forward-looking
in terms of process, materials and design. Since establishing her creative practice in 2005 Debbie has exhibited her scarf
& brooch collections in the UK, France, USA, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong &
New Zealand and successfully sold to
specialist independent retailers and gallery shops in the UK, USA, Spain, Italy &
France. In 2009 Debbie opened her own contemporary craft & gift shop; Debbie
Islamic decorative pattern inspires Ashi’s strongly the process of repetition, form and geometry inform our lives. Notions which continue to influence her work, evolving
jewellery with intricate detail, with a touch of the luxurious. Silver has been Ashi’s
metal of choice, allowing subtle details and contrasts within the patterns and designs.
The work is all made by Ashi and materials, as far as possible, ethically sourced. Any
work that needs to be out-sourced is only ever done in the UK. Ashi also works to commission.
Bryan Studio & Shop in the Lace Market area of Nottingham.
For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
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“
It was good to see how my collaborative partner worked - structured and organised, and yet her work seems so fluid. Mine is the exact opposite. Maybe the disciplined and structured way she works will rub off!
“
www.debbiebryan.co.uk www.ashimarwaha.com
23
Phiona Richards, Samantha Robinson &
Phiona Richards
Samantha Robinson
From a ‘make do and mend’ mentality,
Working with a subtle combination of
of their existence and transforms them
exciting and creative take on commonplace
Phiona is drawn to books near the end into pleasing tactile structures. Although her book sculptures appear to be fragile and delicate, they are quite robust
and interaction becomes a therapeutic experience on many sensory levels.
“
“
ceramics, metals and textiles to produce an objects. Inspired by the ‘everyday ordinary’ things such as tags, keys and clothing
labels she draws attention to detail that is
often overlooked. The processes involved are slip casting, hand building, soldering, stitch and embossing.
From this experience I have learnt that I need to allow myself more breathing space to enjoy each new idea before I put time aside to develop the work into an acceptable end piece. For more details of these and other members of Design Factory visit
www.designfactory.org.uk 24
Sharyn Dunn
Sharyn Dunn Sharyn describes herself as a sculptor
of paper and she currently designs and
produces various types of work. Amongst her collection are lighting, installations, lamp shades and chandeliers for both
residential and commercial environments. These are produced from various
papers, modern day parchments and fine polymers which are cut, hand folded and
manipulated into position. The installations are purpose built and mounted with lighting specific to its environment encouraging the viewer to move around and interact with
the work. Lamps and shades are produced in a selection of sizes and styles and can be made to measure if required.
www.rarenotions.co.uk
www.samantha-robinson.co.uk www.designfactory.org.uk www.designfactory.org.uk www.sharyndunn.com 25
be . . . d e r i insp Bringing together and supporting the very best designer/makers in the UK. Get involved‌ let us help you create a bigger future. 2013 Membership application deadlines: 1st April 1st August 1st December
www.designfactory.org.uk
www.designfactory.org.uk 26
coming soon... ‘A Vos Mailles’ 08 June - 25 August 2013 In 2011 a group of Design Factory members were invited to exhibit their work in central Paris with Atelier D’art de France. To reciprocate, The National Centre for Craft & Design will soon be hosting ‘A Vos Mailles’, an intriguing exhibition by Atelier D’art de France. A Vos Mailles (Your Stitches) brings together 4 French artists working in crochet; Agnes Sebyleau, Cecile Dachary, Peirre Bernard and Helen Angetelli along with the work of photographer Nicole Dufour, documenting and contextualising the artists’ work. The artists have interpreted the exhibition theme ‘textiles and the body’ in a variety of ways. Pieces include large scale textiles involved in physical performance; work based on the internal and external forms of the human body as well as objects to be worn or experienced by our bodies. ‘Rosa’ by Hélène Angeletti, a huge voluptuous pink knitted form will cover a large part of the gallery floor. Other more intricate works will hang from the ceiling and walls to create an intriguing environment, whilst the contrast between material and subject matter evoke comfort and discomfort simultaneously.
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“
A collaborative partnership can hold keys that unlock many doors. These keys open the door of working in isolation, the door of generosity that another maker shows in sharing skills and ideas and the door of enlightenment as to the wealth of talent possessed by another maker.
“
www.designfactory.org.uk www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk
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