Last week’s Colour + Pattern = Joy! featured some of the bright and beautiful patterns seen at Part One of the awe-inspiring New Designers exhibition. Following our visit to Part Two at the weekend, here’s our roundup of the shows with yet more dazzling examples of the extraordinary talent that was on display.
Charlotte Nash graduated in Textile Crafts and makes these intricate, patterned pieces (shown top and below) using braiding and crochet techniques combined with laser and hand cut materials such as foiled leather and mirrored acrylic. Taking her inspiration from geometric shapes, grids and repetitive, striped ‘Aztec’ designs, Charlotte works as a designer/maker for the bespoke interiors market.
These knitted textiles, above and below, are the work of textile designer Louisa Crompton who produces her work on a domestic knitting machine and then carefully applies her designs – inspired by the “digital aesthetic and interaction with computers” – by hand, using a technique called Swiss Darning (Duplicate stitch). The result is a colourful, wonderfully textured almost 3D effect that’s very modern and fresh and contrasts playfully with the ‘cosiness’ of the knitted fabrics.
Taz Pollard, who recently completed her MA in Ceramics, produces work that “re-defines the value we place on everyday objects”. Her pieces are rooted in traditional forms but incorporate modern materials – the handle on the red vessel above is made from a cricket bat grip.
Emma Alington’s project entitled ‘Collect & Combine’ set out to combine two traditional techniques. Porcelain is used throughout, but the lids are slip cast and a standard size, whereas the bowls in varying sizes are hand thrown and the two elements are interchangeable in a ‘mix and match’ concept.
These stackable, tessellating stools, above, by furniture designer Josh South are made from plywood and covered in coloured leather – although any laminate can be applied to the wood which Josh describes as “a blank canvas [which] allows for many unique colour combinations to be translated onto the design, creating interactive collections”.
Another stool, this time the fabulously tactile ‘Duplica’ by Sarah Dorr, whose interest in unconventional materials led her to weave silicone sponge cord over a bent steel skeleton.
Product designer Josie Morris’s minimalist aesthetic is apparent in her beautifully simple ‘Handle’ pendant lights, above, and ‘Range’ tables, below. She mixes materials to striking effect; the copper spun shades have a handle feature available in either walnut wood or grey Corian, whilst the tables have a brass detail that is decorative but also acts as a core component for ease of manufacture and assembly.
Abigail Crowther’s work, pictured above and below, is truly astounding; she takes the most unpromising pieces of reclaimed timber onto which she laser cuts minutely detailed designs to produce a delicate, lace-like 3D decorative surface. Whilst very much stamping her own designs on the timber, Abigail also considers the natural patina, colour and grain of each piece, in order to bring out its natural beauty and individual character. So many exciting applications spring to mind, especially with the current interest in upcycling. She also produces paper wallcoverings using the the same intricate patterns in bold colourways.
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