Opening Night of Sculpt at Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of the most exotic gardens to hold the greatest collections of plants from around the world. Being able to present and sell our sculptures, which are created by many different artists, is a remarkable opportunity. 

We launched Sculpt at Kew with a private viewing of the exhibition. During the night, the guests were served complimentary Gin and Tonic by our wonderful sponsors Wild Island Botanic Gin and Fentimans. The drink was heavenly and helped start off a perfect evening.

Incredible artists like Guy Portelli, Jilly Sutton, Marcia Raff, Andy Young and many more attended the opening night with their friends and families to view their own and other artist’s sculptures. During the evening, artists interacted with each other and with us to gain a wider perspective on each piece of art. Getting to know the background of the sculptures, gives you a better understanding of the meaning behind the work. 

As the artists, press and VIP guests had a tour around the gardens, a beautiful sunset arose behind the sculptures, showing them in a whole new light. Each sculpture captured the orange-red light in its own unique way, giving the guests a whole new reason to admire the work. 

We were delighted by the exceptional feedback from the guests during the evening. Many loved the setting of each sculpture around the gardens, as the incredible art blended with nature making the pieces look more natural and stunning.

So, if you have the time this year until the 15^th of October 2017, come along to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and view Sculpt at Kew, both indoors and outdoors. Why not even bring along your friends and family and make it a day trip to the Gardens. It’s a show worthy of being at the top of your to do list.

All photographs by Tatiana Gorilovsky

It's back! Handmade in Britain return to Kew Gardens

Applications now open...

Welcome to the second edition of Handmade at Kew at the iconic Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew! The craft event will take place from Thursday 6th October to Sunday 9th October 2016.

Handmade at Kew welcomes online applications from contemporary craft makers working in the following disciplines: furniture, metal, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, paper and sculpture.

Apply now for Handmade at Kew

Over 7,500 visitors...

The inaugural year of Handmade at Kew in 2015 drew a fantastic response, with both visitors and makers praising the exceptional standard, variety and innovation of the event and the work on show, alongside appreciation for the ideal setting and warm and buzzing atmosphere.

For the first year of the show, footfall was high with over 7,500 visitors attending over the four days of the show and the Private View evening. 

Makers across all disciplines welcome to apply

The leading showcase for Craft...

Handmade at Kew is set to become the leading international showcase for contemporary craft. The event is highly consumer orientated and enables visitors to view, buy or commission their perfect piece and take it home with them.

Please see our Application Pack for more information about the event and how to apply, available on our website or as a download here. Please note that the deadline for applications is 31st March 2016. 

Apply online now: handmadeinbritain.co.uk/kew

Glass Blowing with Elliot Walker

Today we’re going to be looking at the work of Elliot Walker, glass-blower and sculptor. Discovering some of the mysteries of glass-blowing, and getting a sneak-preview of some of the pieces Elliot has been working on ahead of our Spring Edition show!

How did you first get into glass blowing?

‘I started glass blowing about 4 and a half years ago, but in the beginning I wanted to learn glass casting, it appealed more to my temperament as glass blowing is usually quite an extroverted and collaborative activity, whereas I enjoy working by myself.’

‘However, once you start blowing glass it’s very addictive, and I got hooked very quickly!

For those of us who might not know, is there a way you could simply explain how glass blowing works?

‘It’s actually very simple to explain the basics, but there are so many subtleties and directions that you can choose to take during the process that once the basics are dealt with it can begin to seem incredibly complex to beginners.’

‘Essentially, glass becomes a very viscous liquid like honey when it is over 800 degrees C, and it can then be inflated from the inside. As the surface has some tension, it stretches and then solidifies into a bubble. This can then be reheated and inflated more. You can blow glass so thin that it will blow away in a light breeze, much thinner than a soap bubble; this is really great to see!’

What is it about working in the medium of glass that you particularly enjoy?

‘I only really enjoy the finished piece. The process itself is exciting and you get a real buzz from it, but it is also hot and uncomfortable, not to mention risky and expensive. I often think that if I could make my work sitting on a sofa or in a nice bright studio, or like a painter- I would, without a doubt!’

How does working in glass differ from other sculptural forms of expression?

‘It’s so different, from any other medium in that at first it’s quite hard to learn. For example, if I hand you a lump of clay and ask you to sculpt a dog say, you could probably have a stab at it and produce something similar. But If I gave you a gather of glass and ask the same of you, the glass would be a smoking puddle on the floor within 2 minutes. I can’t make dogs even now!’

‘But once your over that, it’s a great medium as it’s almost alive and your emotional mood can affect the outcome as much as your technique. If I'm angry when I start, or calm, the glass seems to pick up on this and reflects that back at me.’

What is the difference between Glass Sculpture and Art Glass?

‘Art Glass is a loose term that I really don't care for. It is basically glass that has been made to promote and emphasise the beauty of the material rather than made for any functional use. This mostly applies to blown glass vessels that have been coloured in various complicated ways. The majority of British studio glass would be classed as Art Glass by some. As to Glass Sculpture, it’s sculpture made from glass, and those making it would consider themselves sculptors first, and glass blowers second I expect.’

You talk of your work as having a conceptual or emotional focus, where do you draw these focuses from, in terms of your own work (as opposed to a commissioned piece) what inspires your creative processes?

‘I think that there is a split in my inspirations that is developing slowly as I produce more work. The first is to do with how subtle deformations of the body and its posture can affect me emotionally, in a similar way to watching contemporary dance. I've never been much interested in detail, more in sweeping gestures.  I'm also interested in how my emotions effect the sculpture I make, this is really not something that I focus on, but I always notice that my favourite pieces have been made when I am feeling a certain way.’

‘The other influence on my work is depictions of 'God' through the human form, this is currently developing in my work at a slow pace, but is always in the back of my mind and prominent in my research and drawings.’

Have you exhibited at Handmade in Britain before?

‘No, I don't exhibit at many shows, as I mainly sell through galleries. But I do enjoy talking to people about my work.’

Have you got any pieces that are being made especially for the event that we can hope to see?

‘Yes, I am making a winged figure for the show that will be a focal piece, as well as showcasing some of my favourite pieces I have made over the past year.’

 ‘Everything I will be exhibiting has been made in the past 8 months, and many are quite unusual pieces in the fact that they are one offs that have their own names.’

Are there any other exhibitors you are particularly looking forward to seeing at Spring Edition?

'I really like the current ceramics scene in Britain and so I'm sure there will be fantastic things for me to look at, if I can get someone to watch my stand for a bit!'

You can find out more about Elliots work at ewalkerglassart.co.ukand www.facebook.com/ewalkerglassart

All the featured designer-makers in our blog posts will be exhibiting at Handmade in Britain's up coming event at the Chelsea Old Town Hall. To find out more about the event, and book tickets head to: handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Tickets now on sale

Handmade in Britain 14:
Spring Edition

The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

9th - 11th May 2014
Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

Spring Edition is open:
Friday 9th: 11:00 - 19:00
Saturday 10th: 11:00 - 18:00
Sunday 11th: 11:00 - 18:00

Tickets are available online now at £5
Tickets on the door are £7/£5 conc.