Wandsworth 'rugs' and columns

Back in 2014, I was contacted by Walter Jack Studio, to develop some brightly coloured geometric designs based on weave structures to be used to create outdoor 'rugs' and pillars within the public space outside a new housing development in Wandsworth, London.  The Walter Jack concept was to create a contemporary ruin - traces of a previous building are alluded to and the 'rugs' suggestive of the domestic space.  Its also hoped that this scheme will encourage residents to picnic outside and for children to play in the space.  Needless to say, this project was right up my street, so I relished this challenge enormously. 

One of the 'rug' designs, produced using my weave software

I very much enjoyed using my weave software in an entirely different way to create design work, that would be scaled up and translated into hard materials.  The designs have been made from coloured resin bound recycled glass by SureSet, which were carefully inlayed by hand into a bespoke steel grid structure. 

The project has nearly been completed - more planting and finishing details to be added, but I really couldn't wait to share some of these pictures.

All photos (c) Walter Jack Studios, 2016

 

Huge thanks once again to Walter & Paul at Walter Jack Studio, for inviting me to contribute to this project; to SureSet for being translating my ideas impeccably; and to Plan Projects for their overall project management.

Llanelli town centre glass canopy

Rather overdue sharing this news with you, but I'm really excited to bring you these wonderful photos by Dan Staveley of my largest commission to date. This canopy in Llanelli town centre was unveiled last month, as part of its multi-million pound regeneration programme. The canopy structure had been designed as part of the town centre facelift, and I was commissioned to create the glass. 

Drawing inspiration from the incredible industrial heritage of Llanelli, I decided to explore using industrial materials to laminate in glass, rather than my usual dyed silks, cottons and linens. Carbon fibre threads alongside copper and steel meshes were chosen, and they had the added benefit of being colour stable for this outdoor usage. I undertook a lot of research into the tinplate manufacturing process - Llanelli was once the worlds largest producer of tinplate, and so there were a huge number of people once employed in this industry. And it wasn't just men working on the hard production lines either as I had assumed, and so for this commission I wanted to honour the memory of all the women working in the tinplate industry. As the shape of the canopy reminded me greatly of quilting patterns, there was a pleasing juxtaposition between the more expected feminine pastime of quilting and the work women were doing in the tinplate factories.

And so each pane of glass was treated as if an individual pattern piece in a quilt. The gradating blues were achieved with an adhesive vinyl. The copper and steel meshes were folded in reference to the significant 'doubling' process in the tinplate manufacture. This creates a fantastic moire effect so the work has an extra dynamism as you shift your angle of gaze. There are also wonderful shadows cast on sunny days.

As always, I am hugely grateful to the brilliant Innovative Glass Products for helping me realise this commission. To say that this was a challenging job would be an understatement, but they made sure that my vision became a reality.

The canopy structure was made by Broxap who were an absolute pleasure to work with throughout.

The seating underneath the canopy was also a special commission, undertaken by Dallas Pierce Quintero.

And the public art manager was Emma Price, and the build contractors were Alun Griffiths.

Enjoy the pictures...................

Cynon Valley Hospital commission

Above are pictures of a recently completed commission for a series of nine panels that grace a corridor of the newly opened Cynon Valley Hospital in Mountain Ash, South Wales. Vivid cotton, silk and linen threads which gradate in colour over the nine panels, have been laminated in toughened, low iron glass. Each panel measured 85x85cm. With huge thanks (as always) to Innovative Glass Products who I worked with to make the panels.

‘Flourish: Continuing Professional Development for Craftspeople' at Craft in the Bay - Jan-April listings

I wear lots of different hats..... and one of them is coordinating the Continuing Professional Development series of seminars and workshops at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff.  Below are details of the latest tranche of events.  If you're interested in attending any of the sessions please do book soon.... I'm not just saying that - they really do book up quickly! Hope to see you there!

Public Art Commissions, Mererid Velios, Celfwaith
Friday 28th January 2011, 11am – 4pm

Are you keen to extend your professional practice into the realm of public art commissions but don’t know where to start or find the tendering process daunting? This workshop is designed to give you an insight into the opportunities available for craftspeople, how to construct effective expressions of interest, the interview process and different approaches to community engagement requirements.

Mererid Velios is a highly experienced public art consultant having worked for Cywaith Cyrmu - Artworks Wales before establishing her Cardiff-based consultancy Celfwaith. She has managed high profile projects across the UK, many of which are specifically involved craft practitioners. This is an invaluable opportunity to get insightful advice and individual support to tackling this rewarding area of craft professional practice.

What to bring:

· Essential: notebook and pen.

· Desirable but not imperative: a laptop would be helpful for the practical exercises. Images of your typical work that might be applicable for public art applications. If you have put together an unsuccessful public art commission proposal, you are welcome to bring it along for brief feedback from Mererid.

Cost: £45 for non members, £40.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales


Membership of the Makers Guild in Wales
Monday 28th February 2011, 11.30am -12.15pm

Want to find out more about becoming a member of the Makers Guild in Wales? Want the chance to exhibit and sell at the Guilds prestigious gallery Craft in the Bay in Cardiff? Want to get involved with the largest maker-led craft organisation in Wales?

Laura Thomas Makers Guild in Wales member and trustee, will give a presentation on the benefits of joining the Guild. Current exciting developments at Craft in the Bay as well as the history of the Guild will be covered alongside the specifics of the new application procedure and what membership actually entails.

Cost: Free. Limited spaces, so booking is still absolutely essential.


Arts organisations supporting makers and designers in Wales
Monday 28th February 2011, 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Six of Wales’ leading arts and design support organisations will each give a 30 minute presentation on the services and support they offer makers and designers in Wales. Where relevant, membership benefits will be explained; practical support and/or facilities outlined; and grant opportunities highlighted.

· 1.30pm Arts & Business Wales – Yvette Kemble

· 2pm SATNET (Science and Art Network) & Creative Industries Research and Innovation

Centre (Swansea Metropolitan University) – Anna Lewis

· 2.30pm Arts Council of Wales – Michael Goode & Cerys Thomas

· 3pm Coffee break

· 3.15pm Design Wales – Victoria Jones

· 3.45pm Textile Technologies Project & The Shared Technology Resource Centre (Coleg Sir

Gar) – Liesel Taylor

· 4.15pm Fibre Art Wales – Laura Thomas

What to bring: notebook and pen.

Cost: Free, but a donation of £3.00 to cover afternoon refreshments would be appreciated. Limited spaces, so booking is still absolutely essential.


Press coverage for crafts, Nicola Wilkes, interior design journalist, Western Mail columnist and editor of Wales at Home. 
3rd March 2011, 11-1pm

This workshop is designed to give you an insight into what the press is looking for from craftspeople: how to generate press interest, the “dos and don’ts” of writing and sending out your press releases and the kind of photographs publications are looking for.

Nicola Wilkes is a respected interior design journalist, columnist for the Western Mail, editor of lifestyle magazine and directory Wales at Home, and freelance PR consultant with clients including Melin Tregwynt, Leekes, Cardiff Design Festival, Momentum and Made By Hand. She will present ‘The Infectious Effect: how to make the media work for you’ which will offer valuable tips and insights to creative crafts professionals on how get to market with the help of the media.

NB: this is the rescheduled December 2010 seminar that had to be cancelled due to ill health and adverse weather conditions.

What to bring: notebook and pen.

Cost: £20 for non members, £18 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales


3d mapping workshop, Dail Behennah
Saturday 9th April 2011, 11am – 4pm

This workshop will explore lateral approaches to making through a practical 3d mapping exercise, which all makers regardless of discipline will be able to benefit from. You will encouraged to experiment with unfamiliar materials, discover new methods of joining components and new ways of realising ideas. The emphasis will be on self directed discovery, rather than prescribed teaching of techniques.

This is a rare treat to be taught by Dail Behennah, who is an internationally regarded maker, renowned for her elegant willow structures that epitomise a thoroughly atypical approach to her craft.

What to bring: materials will be provided but please bring some materials typical to your discipline which you would be happy to share with other participants.

Cost: £50 for non members, £45 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales

To book on any of the courses, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611 or email cpd@makersguildinwales.org

busy busy busy.....

I need to apologise first for not keeping very up date with my blogging activity.... have been so busy recently, I even had to miss out on my Easter break.... get the violins out eh?!

So what's been keeping me occupied?

Primarily, it has been the very exciting commission to 'respond to the Iron Trials in the World Heritage Site centred around Blaenavon in the South Wales Valleys, and to make initial proposals for public art ideas'. There was huge time pressure to get this work done, hence no Easter respite. This is an extremely new way for me to think about my work, but obviously an amazing opportunity to start thinking about translating my artworks to become applicable for the outdoor environment.

I came up with several proposals focusing on two sites - 'The Gap' on Broad Street in Blaenavon, and the Garn Lakes just outside the town. The two images show my very basic digital simulations for two of the ideas. At this point in the commission process, it was about demonstrating the way I would plan to tackle the project, the likely aesthetics, materials and processes.

Both the images show a development of my 'Loose Threads' acrylic encapsulated process - by Garn Lake it would be a large block with the threads echoing the contours of the land behind - surreal window or doorway into the landscape. In 'The Gap', a continuous panel would stretch around the three walls, which would be dramatically back lit to enhance the colour. This would be complimented by central stone seating which would incorporate glass inserts to make a visual link to the wall panels.

The presentation was given last Friday to a packed room of all the interested parties, from the Arts Council, local Council, residents, landscape architects etc. Perhaps one of my most nerve racking experiences! Nevertheless, my ideas seemed to generate a lot interest, and so hopefully something will be selected to move forward with.

Aside from that commission, amongst many other things, I have been finalising my 'Woven Structure' chapter for a book entitled Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology to be published by Woodhead - date tbc. Also I am busily preparing for the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate which opens this Sunday. Hope to perhaps see you there!