commissioning craft PUBLISHED BY HI-ARTS 2010 | FREE
COMMISSION your D R E A M
make your home
UNIQUE
CONTENTS
WELCOME TO HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS CRAFT
MAKE YOUR HOME UNIQUE 3
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have provided a natural home for craft for many years inspiring makers through the beauty of the environment, history and wealth of natural materials. There are makers working in ceramics, furniture and wood, glass, jewellery and metalwork, lettering, musical instruments, paper, textiles and basketmaking.
COMMISSION YOUR DREAM 6
Craft is an integral part of the economic life of the Highlands, and the quality and diversity of work creates exciting opportunities for the future.
FIVE TOP TIPS FOR COMMISSIONING 8
HI-Arts are delighted to be able to showcase Highland creativity through this brochure on craft for the home, produced to support our programme at Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010.
CRAFT FOR THE PUBLIC 9
Craft is something everyone should enjoy and buy to make their home unique! Pamela Conacher
Craft Development Coordinator HI-Arts
WHERE TO SEE, BUY & FIND OUT MORE 10
More details can be found on our website http://crafts.hi-arts.co.uk/
HI-Arts Craft Development, Suites 4 & 5, Fourth Floor, Ballantyne House, 84 Academy Street, Inverness Tel: 01463 720886 Email: craft@hi-arts.co.uk Web: http://crafts.hi-arts.co.uk Brochure compiled by Tina Rose (editor Rio Magazine www.riomagazine.co.uk) with assistance from HI-Arts Craft Develpment Furniture featured on front cover: Wellington chest in walnut by Gavin Robertson (www.grfurniture.com) 2
All across the Highlands and Islands there is a wealth of creativity as artists working with different materials – clay, glass, metal, textiles, wood, fibre, paper and resin – explore ideas and skilfully make beautiful craft. They are inspired, often by the light and colour of the countryside, or the history and mythology, to create, many using the traditional indigenous skills of spinning, weaving, knitting, basketmaking and woodworking.
MAKE YOUR HOME UNIQUE 3
They are always exploring new materials, as can be seen by the work of emerging young designer Nick Ross, who graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2008. He has just returned to the Highlands after working in Europe, and his Lego chair reflects his design ethos of commenting on our ways of thinking about objects.
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There are many potteries based in the Highlands including the Bay Pottery on the Isle of Skye where Maggie Zerafa creates unique pieces influenced by Japanese traditions. In Ardersier Julia Smith sketches from nature, while Daniel Kavanagh in Nairn combines bronze and ceramic in sculptural pieces. Printed textiles by Phatsheep on Shetland, embroidered limited edition textiles by Jenny Deschenes in Spean Bridge, glass pieces by Sandie Gallagher, wood explorations by Alasdair McKay and silversmithing by Lucy Woodley in Tain, give just a flavour of the variety of work being made. The wonderful craft Highland makers create – furniture, tableware, home accessories and unique objects - can be found and bought at galleries across the Highlands, as well as across the world. Owning something handmade is very special, with craft to suit every budget. It can remind you of a place or time, reflect your personality, but best of all, when you buy what you love it will give a feeling of pleasure every day.
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Previous Page Ceramic with bronze by Daniel Kavanagh (www.danielkavanagh.com) Photo: Ewen Weatherspoon This Spread 1 Cushion by Jenny Deschenes (www.jendeschenes.co.uk) Photo: Fin Macrae 2 Cushion by Phatsheep (www.phatsheep.co.uk) 3 Lego chair by Nick Ross (www.nckrss.com) 4 Tree cup by Julia Smith (www.juliasmithceramics.com) 5 Rowan bowl and spoon by Lucy Woodley (www.lucywoodley.co.uk) Photo: Fin Macrae 6 Rising II by Maggie Zerafa (www.baypottery.co.uk) 7 Playing with the elements by Alisdair McKay (email: am3.9ky@virgin.net) 8 Glass by Sandie Gallagher (email: sandieglass@yahoo.co.uk)
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OMMISSIO
YOUR DREAM 6
Commissioning something unique for your home is an exciting opportunity to express your individuality. It can also be a lovely way to mark an occasion such as a wedding or retirement or to remember someone, and it creates an heirloom to pass on to the next generation.
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Facing Page Desk, detail (Gavin Robertson www.grfurniture.com)
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1 Turning Leaves by Louise Oppenheimer (www.louiseoppenheimer.com) 2 French console by Gavin Robertson (www.grfurniture.com) 3 Gavin Robertson in his studio (www.grfurniture.com) 4 Ceramic tile by Helen Michie (www.helenmichieceramics.co.uk) 5 Console in ash, detail (Gavin Robertson - www.grfurniture.com)
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Furniture designer Gavin Robertson, who works mainly to commission, finds the experience very rewarding, and gets as much pleasure from it as the person who owns the finished piece. In his workshop above Loch Ness he makes a broad range of work from designer kitchens to bespoke pieces inspired by the construction and detail of the Arts and Crafts Movement. People that come to him for a commission are usually looking for something very individual, and if possible he likes to visit the home to see where the piece will be and discuss design ideas. He then produces a drawing, sometimes with a sample to demonstrate an inlay, and once this has been discussed a deposit is paid and the delivery date agreed. He always likes to include a wow factor, a detail that sets it apart from mass produced pieces. His advice to people thinking about commissioning is to have a good think in advance about materials, style, practical requirements, and to be realistic about the budget. Of course, commissions are not always for furniture. A woven hanging can bring warmth to a wall, and as most are unglazed they can happily be positioned opposite windows. Louise Oppenheimer, who lives in Kilmartin Glen, weaves designs with their roots in nature, their abstract patterns translating the essence of a place, perfect for a home environment. Another aspect of the home that lends itself to commissions is wall mounted tiles. Ceramicist Helen Michie makes either smoked or glazed large ceramic picture Raku fired tiles inspired by the sky, sea and landscape of Lochaber, with tiles in a similar style that are suitable or kitchens and bathrooms. Glass, ceramics, fabrics, furniture, there is an endless range of ways to commission something you will love living with and which perfectly suits your lifestyle. 7
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WHY & WHERE?
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MONEY TALK
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WHO?
It is important to think carefully about any commission before you talk to a maker. What is it that you want to commission? Does it have to be used for any purpose? Where will it go in your home? Consider what style you like in your home and the materials. Take photos of the space/room where it will go. Look at interiors magazines and tear out photos of styles you like.
It is always best to mention budgets at the very beginning of any commission as it can influence what materials are used and other aspects of how it is made. You want to make sure it will meet your expectations so you need to decide how much you can afford to spend.
By this stage you have researched what you want and have an idea of style. You now need to research who could make this for you. There is lots of information online about makers – directories, associations and individual websites (see page 11). Also visit galleries where you can see work by different makers, exhibitions and open studio events. If there are any makers who you’re particularly interested in contact them to ask if they are exhibiting anywhere or visit their studios to see their work.
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TOP TIPS
Detail of work by Joan Baxter (www.joanbaxter.com)
FOR COMMISSIONING
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WHAT & WHEN?
Once you have chosen who to work with you need to brief them on what you want, style, materials and budget. Depending on what you’re commissioning they may visit your home to see where it will go, but they can also work from photographs. They will then design a piece and provide you with drawings including size and materials, total costs and timing for delivery. If you want to see the work in progress now is the time to agree appointments. It is always best to have these details in writing and to have signed an order/contract once you have agreed everything. It is important to trust the maker you work with and to communicate, for example, only contact them to check progress if there is something you are worried about, and encourage the maker to let you know if there are delays for any reason.
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BEING CREATIVE
One of the most enjoyable things about commissioning is working with the maker to create something unique. Once you tell them your initial thoughts the maker will bring new ideas and together you’ll design and make something original which exactly matches your needs and home. 8
Furniture by Cecil Tait (www.paparwark.biz) Textile panel by PhatSheep (www.phatsheep.co.uk) Circle by Inge Panneels at An Lanntair (www.idagos.co.uk) Detail of work by Andrea Williamson (www.andreawilliamson.co.uk)
AF B U TF P OR THE
One building which shows this is the new Shetland Museum where they used fixtures and fittings to showcase creativity. In the cafe ash tables with legs ingrained with Shetland peat were made by furniture designer Cecil Tait. Each table was inlaid with a unique textiles piece by a local artist showing samples of weaving, printing, knitting, felt, lacework, embroidery, sewing and collage. A series of one-off lampshades by Helen Robertson were knitted in aluminium wire using Shetland lace patterns.
Clockwise from top left: Interior - Shetland Museum
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Many buildings designed for the public, such as museums, theatres and public spaces, now incorporate craft in some way. This interaction leads to more interesting spaces, giving them a unique character, and a focus of interest for visitors.
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Craft can also be a creative way to suggest another use for space, such as an outside piece by glass artist Inge Panneels for An Lanntair on Stornoway. A 7m diameter glass circle with integrated lighting was sunk into the public square behind the centre, denoting a possible performance space.
Another new building which used craft in an innovative way is the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. Glass artist Nichola Burns of Glasstorm was selected to create a temporary work directly onto the wall in one of the foyers. Reflecting the idea of a story or piece of music having a beginning, middle and end, she created ‘The Journey’, a 7m long delicate trail of clear glass. 9
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CRAFT AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: HI-Arts Crafts Council craftscotland Orkney Crafts Association The Scottish Furniture Makers’ Association Shetland Arts Shetland Arts & Crafts Uist Craft Producers
http://crafts.hi-arts.co.uk www.craftscouncil.org.uk www.craftscotland.org www.orkneydesignercrafts.com www.scottishfurnituremakers.org.uk www.shetlandarts.org www.shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk www.uistarts.org
BELOW IS A SELECTION OF OUTLETS TO SEE AND BUY CRAFT IN THE HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS: 1
ARGYLL & THE ISLANDS An Tobar Arts Centre Argyll Terrace Tobermory Isle of Mull Argyll & Bute PA75 6PB www.antobar.co.uk
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Aosdana Gallery St. Columba Steadings Isle of Iona Inner Hebrides Argyll & Bute PA76 6SJ www.aosdanaiona.com
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Blue Beyond Studio Gallery Sunbeam Cottage Isle of Tiree Argyll & Bute PA77 6UA www.bluebeyond.uk.com Carthouse Gallery Cagary Farmhouse Hotel Calgary Isle of Mull Argyll & Bute PA75 6QT www.calgary.co.uk/gallery.html Castle Gallery (Bute) 13 High Street Rothesay Isle of Bute Argyll & Bute PA20 9AS www.thecastlegallery.com
Juno Gallery 159 Argyll Street Dunoon Argyll & Bute PH23 7DD www.junogallery.com
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1 Inside the North Rock Gallery (www.northrockgallery.com) Photo: Mark Sinclair 2 Daniel Kavanagh (www.danielkavanagh.com) Photo: Ewen Weatherspoon 3 Knitted clock by Andrea Williamson (www.andreawilliamson.co.uk) Photo: John Coutts 4 Bowl by Glasstorm (www.glasstorm.com) Photo: Fin Macrae 5 Silver by Mhairi Killin (www.mhairikillin.com) Facing Page Cushions by Hume Sweet Hume (www.humesweethume.co.uk) Photo: Kirsteen Stewart 10
HIGHLAND An Talla Solais Market Street Ullapool www.antallasolais.org Aviemore Gallery Aviemore Cairngorm www.theaviemoregallery. com Beauly Gallery The Kirk Wester Balblair By Beauly IV4 7BQ www.beaulygallery.co.uk Browns Gallery Tain Ross & Cromarty www.brownsart.com Castle Gallery 43 Castle Street Inverness IV2 3DU www.castlegallery.co.uk Daniel Kavanagh The School House Gallery and Studio Ferness Nairn www.danielkavanagh.com Dornoch Jail Dornoch Sutherland www.jail-dornoch.com
Kilmorack Gallery By Beauly Inverness-shire IV4 7AL www.kilmorackgallery.co.uk Timespan Heritage Centre Dunrobin Street Helmsdale KW8 6JX www.timespan.org.uk ORKNEY Fursbreck Pottery Harray Orkney KW17 2LR www.applepot.co.uk Hoxa Tapestry Gallery Neviholm Hoxa St Margaret’s Hope Orkney KW17 2TW www.hoxatapestrygallery. co.uk
SHETLAND Bonhoga Gallery Weisdale Mill Weisdale Shetland ZE2 9LW www.shetlandarts.org/ venues/bonhoga-gallery North Rock Gallery Lerwick Shetland www.northrockgallery.com Shetland Museum Lerwick Shetland www.shetland-museum. org.uk Oily Muggie Findlins House Hillswick Shetland ZE2 9RW www.designedinshetland. co.uk SKYE Bay Pottery Armadale Pier Sleat Isle of Skye IV45 8RS www.baypottery.co.uk
Hume Sweet Hume Westray Orkney www.humesweethume. co.uk
WESTERN ISLES An Lanntair Kenneth Street Stornoway Isle of Lewis Western Isles HS1 2DS www.lanntair.com
Judith Glue Kirkwall Orkney www.judithglue.com The Pier Arts Centre Stromness Orkney www.pierartscentre.com The Workshop Front Road St Margaret’s Hope Orkney KW17 2SL www.orkneydesignercrafts. com
Taigh Chearsabhagh Lochmaddy North Uist Western Isles HS6 5A www.museumsgalleries scotland.org.uk /member/taighchearsabhagh
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SEE & BUY CRAFT
Studio 4 Shore Road Lamlash Isle of Arran KA27 8LA www.studio4arran.co.uk
Glasstorm contemporary Glass Studio & Gallery 2 Chapel Street Tain IV19 1EL www.glasstorm.com
IN THE HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS
Mansefield Studios Mansefield House Arrochar Loch Long Argyll G83 7AG www.mansefieldstudios. com
MAKE YOUR
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