In the press!

Yesterday, I appeared in the Northwich Guardian, talking about my new Public Art project at the soon to be build Barons Quay development, which will sit on top of a disused and recently filled, historic salt mine.

 

 

 Here's a link to the online version of the article: http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/11621349.Barons_Quay_art_plans_revealed/

MAKE: SHIFT Crafts Council conference

I spent two days last week immersed in craft innovation.

I'm really interested in the idea of collaborating; with industry, museums, science....  This was a really great opportunity to hear about makers doing exactly that: 

Matt Duran's collaboration with medical research at the Royal Free hospital in London, to create glass moulds for growing a polymer in, which provides the scaffolding for new noses. More here


Designer / Maker  Lizete Druka; project designer, Advanced Colour & Materials at Jaguar.

Sara Robertson and Sarah Taylor showed us their incredible innovative cloth that incorporates light;
made from black Holland Linen printed with a newly developed, white-scattering liquid crystal thermochromic dye, polymer optical fibres and heat sinks.  More information here

I was so inspired by Dr Sarat Babu's passion for creating new materials through new manufacturing processes.  Below are samples of architectured materials developed through selective laser sintering.  More here

Finally, I missed her talk, but am a huge fan of what Fi Scott of Make Works has achieved; an online comprehensive directory of Scottish makers, manufacturers, material suppliers and factories.   When can we have one for England!

MATERIAL LAB's Jim Biddulph writes a great blog report from the conference:
http://www.material-lab.co.uk/blog/post/makeshift-2014/

Metal under attack from the elements!

The wonders of ageing metal outside of ‘metal sheets’ metal suppliers on the outskirts of Liverpool.  These beautiful colours appear over time when metal is stored or used outside.   I’m really excited about harness these ageing processes, and using them to my advantage to create outdoor metal artworks and facades.  Watch this space…

 See my existing outdoor pieces here

A walk around Ravsted, Denmark

Today, as a little diversion from work in Ravstedhus studio, we went for a walk to see Ravsted church and its beautiful lead roof.  Also stumbled accross some very attractive plastic objects with subtle, aged green surfaces.

 An electro- etched copper sample with fine mono- print marks etched in to the surface.

And to end the day.... The best steak I've ever eaten at a local restaurant.

Enamelling weekend in Denmark

Last night, I drove myself and three enamellers, four hours SW of Copenhagen to Ravstedhus,  where we're spending the weekend, along with several other British enamellers, and Tom & Inge; Danish jeweller / enamellers.    We'll be sharing ideas, eating lovely food, and hopefully making some interesting work.

My challenge for the weekend is to learn electro-etching, and also have a play with incorporating copper in to vitreous enamel using ideas sparked by a conversation with two amazing enamellers, Phil and Sarah last night.











My work bench with copper samples ready to be electro etched and then enamelled.

 The Ravstedhus workshop this misty morning....

 The wonderful master enameller Ruth Ball at her bench.

'Manhole' covers installed!

An enjoyable day in Denbigh, North Wales installing my 7 individual 'manhole' covers.  Tony and Paul from Photocast joined me at site with all seven cast covers weighing down their car, and the rain just held off for the three hours it took to install.  Before long, local people were walking past and stopping to have a good look.   I was particularly touched when the first of the seven covers was christened by a little present from a pigeon nest above....

CLICK HERE for more pictures

Awarded large scale public art project at Barons Quay in Northwich

I'm delighted to announce that I've been selected by Chester and Cheshire West Council to create a public art piece for a 200 metre square space at the soon to be built, Barons Quay development in Northwich.

For the space, I'll be creating 50, up to a meter long etched metal cylinders, which will be suspended from the ceiling, and undulate across the wall in the profile of the local river Weaver.

The form of the piece is rooted in the site's industrial heritage, referencing rock salt mines which still exist, but have been recently filled, underneath the new development's site. The cylinders are evocative of 'core samples' pulled from the earth, revealing layers of rock which tell the geological story of a landscape.

I will be working with the local community to develop salt inspired artwork which will influence some of the imagery etched in to these metal cylinders, engaging them in the creative process of producing a public artwork.

The piece will be installed in 2017 after the development of Barons Quay is complete.