Our latest membership call-out has resulted in another seven new full Design-Nation members. Seven’s been a recurring number in our recruitments in the last couple of years – but we promise that it’s a coincidence rather than a target that we give to our hardworking selection panels. (And to be honest it’s not strictly true as we have several new graduate members too.)
So who are our latest seven? A very decorative selection this time, comprising two glass artists, three jewellers and two textile designers. Our glass artists are Helen Eastham and Verity Pulford, both inspired by nature, but in different locations.
Helen is based in Cornwall and passionate about its beauty and the restorative effects of seascapes on wellbeing. She builds her colourful vessels in stages, combining her materials knowledge and an organic approach to making. Verity lives in north Wales and has extensive knowledge of glass techniques, combining multiple approaches and her great love of glass itself to make challenging works for installation, architecture and sculpture.
The new jewellers joining our portfolio are Cathy Sutherland, Daphne Krinos and Petra Bishai, all of whom have established and distinctive practices. Cathy is based in the metal heartland that is Sheffield. She makes flowing elegant and contemporary pieces using centuries-old techniques such as repoussé where the metal is worked on the reverse side. London-based Daphne has been a jeweller for several decades, and commands respect for her striking pieces of layered geometric forms, inspired by architecture and cities. Daphne attributes her love of making to her childhood in Greece and especially her grandfather. Petra‘s current collection is inspired by roads with titles like “Flyover”: sinuous and minimal works with subtle textures and discreetly incorporated gemstones. Petra draws on her London and Middle Eastern heritage and is based at Cockpit Arts.
DUO-HUE by Amelia Ayerst is a new brand by Bristol-based product designer Amelia,who is committed to exploring the colourful potential of digital embroidery, for example applying this technique to transform vintage bags. Rubykite is the collaborative project of Tamara Williams and Joy Leese. In their Shepperton studio Tamara and Joy create contemporary art scarves based on Tamara’s painting and printing, playing with texture and scale to impressive effect.
We’re delighted to have these new talents join us and are looking forward to showing their work in future projects.
