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

Spring Series: The Natural World Part Two

An exploration of the work of marquetarian Ian Smith, sea glass and silver from Almost Perfect, and the vivid scarves of Taisir Gibreel.

Join us this week as we get a closer insight to some of this year’s designer-makers discovering some of their creative influences and processes. Beginning with the stimuli of…

How do the materials you work in communicate and connect to spring and an awareness of the seasons?

Does the natural world influence your work and creative processes and if so how?

Almost Perfect Jewellery is designed and created by artist Rose Cecil who is based in the picturesque Cornish village of Mousehole. Her interest in the human relationship with the organic world inspires her jewellery collections.

‘Surrounded by inspiration, I explore ideas, textures and themes related to nature, the seasons and in particular the sea. I named my company Almost Perfect to reflect the fact that in nature nothing is perfect and is often more beautiful and interesting than the mechanical symmetry of manufactured pieces.’

‘Making jewellery provides the opportunity to be creative with extraordinarily beautiful and interesting materials. I trained first as a painter and then as a sculptor at Camberwell College. I see jewellery as an extension of my work as a fine artist and my materials as a three dimensional palette. Form, shape, colour and feel determine the design of a piece. I find inspiration all around me, especially in Cornwall where I live.’

‘The starting point for a piece may be a found texture or simply the beauty of a string of pearls. Inspired by the coast, and landscape, I use its forms, shapes and colours to create my signature pieces in metals and semi-precious stones.’

To see more work from Almost Perfect go to: www.almostperfect.co.uk/

Ian Smith is a marqutarian who works using age-old traditional techniques from his studio in Manchester.

‘As a professional marquetarian, the materials I work in connect to spring and the seasons as I work in wood and of course the trees are wonderful examples of the way the different seasons develop. A lot of my work directly reflects the seasons and the choice of veneers is an example of that.'

‘The natural world influences my work directly as I use natural materials to create my pictures! All my veneers reflect life and growth and my creative processes are stimulated by what I see. I am constantly looking for good subjects for my work, either from my own observations or those of my collaborators. These starting points are often taken directly from nature, not just from spring but all seasons.’

‘The choice of veneers symbolises the warmth or coldness of the season being depicted. I particularly love winter scenes based on the work of the old Dutch masters as the veneers again perfectly reflect the tone and atmosphere they were aiming for.’

To find out more about Ian and his work go to: www.themarquetryshack.com

Taisir Gibreel's Colourful scarves combine pattern and bold colour to create unique prints taking inspiration from the landscapes of her Sudanese- British heritage.

‘Bold structural imagery drawn from urban Scotland against a backdrop of colours and shapes from the Highlands, provides her with a treasure trove of rich colours and wonderful organic shapes. An eclectic fusion of cultures’

‘The Scottish landscapes provide me with a treasure trove of rich colours and wonderful shapes. I believe by showcasing my Sudanese and British roots and drawing inspiration from the colours and shapes of the Scottish Highlands, I create distinctive and unique prints.'

‘The collections of pure silk and wool scarves are bewitching, bold and abstract designs and we produce them in the UK and Italy insuring quality, which is of the utmost importance. Stunning, luxurious silk shift dresses will also soon be joining my expanding collection!’

To find out more about Taisir Gibreel: www.taisirgibreel.co.uk

All the featured designer-makers in our Spring Series: The Natural World 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: www.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.

More Designer-Makers at Handmade in Britain 13!

Interiors at Handmade in Britain 13

Offkut

This year, covetable interior pieces for your home represent both innovation and tradition, showcasing stunning variety in style, form and function.

Stuart Jenkins

This year, indulge in something utterly distinctive, from  reclaimed industrial lighting and furniture from Offkut to bold, contemporary colour from glass artist Aline Johnson, delicate and energetic ceramics from Ali Tomlin and striking textures in the metalwork of Stuart Jenkins.

More covetable interior pieces for your home include Annabel Perrin’s energetic textiles inspired by British architecture to the friendly faces and playful colour to be found in the work of ceramic artist Namiko Murakoshi and the complex organic textures in colossal pieces from Alex McCarthy. 

Eleanor Lakelin

Annabel Perrin

Discover traditional turning techniques masterfully matched with innovative finishes and contemporary form in the unmistakable woodwork of Eleanor Lakelin. To compliment your favourite space and showcase your treasures, the simple lines and elegant detailing in the furniture of Mark Newson are created to commission with sustainably grown wood.

Ceramics at Handmade in Britain 13

Gin Durham

Handmade in Britain 13 will showcase an exciting variety of ceramics from selected UK based makers, and features newcomers and established artists exhibiting work for purchase or commission.

Ingrid Saag

Discover a wealth of style and influence - from the energy and colour in jazz, blues and swing inspired vessels and wall pieces from Ingrid Saag and Welsh landscapes depicted in the porcelain forms of Richard Heeley.  Consider the tense, provocative narratives in Gin Durham’s toy-like figures and the colourful stories to be explored in the work of Michaela Gall, and smile in the company of Victoria Atkinson’s joyful, quirky sculpture.

Celebrating both innovation and tradition, the show presents stunning variety in process, form and function.

A full list of our exhibitors can be on our website: 

http://www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk/chelsea-13/exhibitors/