Materialise 7 brings together an exceptional group of emerging designers and makers that were selected from 2023 graduating year.
In the last year we have watched them all develop their practice in new and ambitious ways. Some working towards a new collection of work and others researching and testing new ways of working, embarking on international residencies, exploring the possibilities of their chosen materials and finding their voice as a maker.
Over the last seven years Fife Contemporary have been working with new makers to deliver a co-developed programme, Materialise. It is a supportive, evolving range of activities that has spanned bursaries, professional development, residencies and online and in-person exhibition opportunities. Each year the Materialise programme aims to meet the needs of the current cohort of emerging makers selected from Scottish Art Schools.
Alice Biolo
Alice is a jewellery artist hailing from Italy and currently based in Glasgow. She explores themes of trauma and insecurities in her collections, developing an interest in the hidden, which she translates into her designs. Her creations are characterised by their simple appearance, intentionally avoiding overt symbolism. Instead, they conceal intricate details, fostering an intimate connection solely with the wearer. www.alicebiolo.com
Dylan Lothian
Vxqr focuses on discarded pre loved garments, deconstructing and combing high quality fabrics to create one off garments to be worn in contemporary life, representing mass waste of throw away culture.
Perfidy collection is an investigation into trust and distrust between objects, an entity’s power of strength to succeed and destroy through tactile acts. Betrayal through the strength of growth. Survival of life form. #SS25 #perfidy
@Vxqr.dl
Marta Lesniak
With a passion for helping the planet through creativity, Marta developed a biodegradable light shade made from potatoes. After a year of perfecting the process, she successfully shaped this material, which naturally decomposes in two months when left outdoors. Marta now creates desk lamps and ceiling lights from this eco-friendly innovation. The design theme, “FOREVER or FOR NEVER,” symbolises sustainability and impermanence in a world that needs both.
Niamh Wright
Niamh focuses on creating her complex shapes into 3D forms using various modelling software. Inspired by the organic growth of Mother of Pearl, Niamh mimics these freshwater pearls, combining them with her expressive shapes to create her version of this transformative material.
Pulling the colours from her paintings, Niamh dyes the Nylon 3D prints to highlight the original emotive source of inspiration. Lasercut mother of pearl are then embedded into the piece with neon acrylic paint.
www.nifjewels.co.uk
@nifjewels
Emily Criddle
Emily is a textile designer and Edinburgh University graduate specifically interested in sustainability in the textile industry. She creates printed fabrics using natural dyes derived from UK and European natural dye plants such as madder, weld and woad. As a designer, Emily believes it is imperative that we tackle the lack of transparency in the textile industry and make great efforts to make design sustainable and non-toxic.
@emilyrosetextile
Anita Sarkezi
Using the TC2 digital jacquard loom, Anita is able to construct an imaginary cultural space, an alternative proposal using personal ornaments and motifs, and bold and gradient uses of colour. Based on her research into the post-colonial histories of Eastern Europe, Anita curates a personal archive of floral, organic, and geometric motifs free of political and national constraints and ties.
www.studiosarkezi.com
Morgan Hagan
MGH Design is a sustainable clothing brand based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Working under the slogan ‘A Garment To Trust’ each piece prioritises sustainability, longevity and wearability. Drawing inspiration from timeless styles and contemporary living, each collection has been designed to be lived in and loved. Handmade to order, all materials and trimmings are organic and locally sourced to keep production localised and sustainable.
Ruth Christman
Ruth’s practice explores the intersection of art, craft, and science. She utilises a synthesis of interdisciplinary research, contemporary digital methodologies, and traditional techniques such as smithing and welding. Inspired by microcosms and their intricate interspecies relationships, Ruth has examined the inner landscapes of lichens and is now focusing on rock pools and marine life. Ruth’s sculptures prioritise playful engagement to foster a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. @r.j.c.art
Helen Etherton
Helen weaves unearthed stories of landscape, folklore and history. Working in deadstock and paper yarns, and utilising a rust dyeing process, these textural, elemental expressions embrace brokenness and irregularity to capture the traces of lost narratives. They are an ode to the ancient, winding lineage of weavers and their song of haptic knowledge passed down from hand, to hand, to hand.
Fife Contemporary is an independent craft and visual arts organisation based out of St Andrews, Fife. Our programme is delivered across Fife, through varied partnerships, in all kinds of places. We produce a highquality programme of visual art and craft exhibitions, events and activities to support artists and makers and for the public in Fife, facilitating engagement between them and enriching their lives.
We have built a unique network for artists in Fife and beyond, providing information, opportunities and support. Materialise is our key programme to support newly graduated designers and makers in Scotland. It is complemented by our annual Summer School for Fife’s young creatives, our year-round programme of professional development support for artists and makers, as well as our Artists’ Newsflashsupporting artists from their earliest years to established careers.
