PATERNISTA12/5/2017
This is an edited version of the article that Neisha Crosland has written in the London issue of Bridge for Design which is now out, so go grab a copy! It is so beautifully written that I wanted to share some of it here.
‘Pattern is innate in us - we have been at it since the beginning of mankind. Symbols and patterns were so important to primitive tribes and communities; they formed the basis of their languages and consequently, our visual and verbal language today. Really then, it’s no surprise that the word textile contains the word text and that the word pattern derives from the word pater, the Latin for father. As early as 40,000 years ago zig zag lines were etched on Ice Age mammoth teeth, the stripe appeared in prehistoric times and was bent at right angles to produce a zig zag, perhaps to represent the hostile-looking mountain range. In the cave paintings at Lascaux, animals were depicted and Oriental carpet often showed the stylised gardens in the oasis that the desert tribes hoped to find. In the early 8th century, chrysanthemums signified long life; the swastika signified light, and perhaps was a stylised version of a four - petalled flower, blooming when the weather was fruitful. Andean tribes wove dots and lines and suns into feather pieces; 16thcentury Ottoman craftsmen wove them into beautiful brocades – their patterns were as sophisticated and as beautiful and modern looking as anything today. 17th century Mughal painters and craftsman carved with exquisitely sensitive depictions of desert flowers into marble, neelam stone and pietra dura work. Then there are the William Morris designs or those 17th Century silks by Maria Garthwaite and James Leman. And on it goes - so you could argue that the groundwork has been done for us modern pattern makers. I have come to understand that a good pattern is one that people can to connect with – it must have a sense of familiarity about it, but at the same time the design must surprise them with its freshness. This is always a bit of a conundrum for the designer but the job of good design. I swing between having a desire to design geometrics and florals - sometimes mixing the two in one design. geometric patterns influenced by the dynamic abstractions of the Russian avant-garde and the Russian Art exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts will no doubt inspire bold innovative design. I am inspired by artists like Malevich and Popova. The Japanese were very good at this in the 16th century with their kimono fabrics taking the simple knot and dye and the running thread technique but incorporating metal thread a wonderful hand painted depictions of nature. I always return to this and the Japanese sensibility is influencing pattern in both fashion and interiors. Right now, my studio walls are an oasis of flora bunda – Tulip block print fabrics for September and a floral tiles collection called FLORIS to is to be launched by De Ferranti. Nature arranges shapes so well, whether it’s the petal formation of a flower, or the lines on a shell - I find it quite astonishing that any of us pattern makers feel the need to do any re-arranging of our own. In the past decorative patterns were hand drawn, hand painted, hand carved, hand woven – all with skills that demanded patience, a lot of practise, real thought and close live examination of nature. Today images of plants or geometry can be scanned down loaded and with at the click on the key board manipulated to produce a pattern so easily. I worry that this has produced a slap dash trigger pulling attitude to pattern making which can lead to soulless results. I feel very lucky as I have the best of two worlds – the experience of pre-digital age Art school with lots of drawing painting and experimenting with print techniques without the distraction of computers combined with, the current digital age speed which enables me to work on several projects at once.’ Neisha Crosland www.neishacrosland.com CRAFTWORK III28/4/2017
LONDON CRAFT WEEK (3-7 May) is an annual event that showcases exceptional craftsmanship through a journey-of-discovery programme featuring hidden workshops and unknown makers alongside celebrated masters, famous studios, galleries, shops and luxury brands.
I write a few paragraphs each year about London Craft Week (LCW) but third time around I think this needs to extend to a good few pages as this timely show has grown beyond all expectations. The classy brochure landed this week with 120 pages covering over 200 events, which are gathered together in one place for one magical week. Here’s a quick edit.
Gilding first captured my imagination when reading about Clare Mosley’s Parisian apartment in Elle Decoration. I wanted to move in with her Eglomise glass gilded objects. If you want to explore gilding at LCW then head to OCHRE on Thursday 4 May, 3.30-4.30pm where Helen Chislett is in conversation with OCHRE and master gilder Katharine Knight. Katharine shows the stages of traditional water gilding and gold leaf technique on OCHRE’s new Surya light. This is the most beautiful and skillful of all the applied gold leaf techniques. The light has a hand-turned green oak shade where the natural cracks of the timber enhanced by slithers of 22-carat gold inspired by the ancient art of Kintsugi. If you have a passion for process and in particular the lost-wax casting technique then you have something in common with Christopher and Nicola Cox, who continue to push the boundaries of materials: bronze; silver; wrought iron; blown glass and cast stone. These designer-makers talk to journalist Henrietta Thompson on Wednesday 3 May at 5pm, discussing how to commission handmade lighting and furniture. Take a design journey from the inspirations, original drawings and artisan techniques to the finished limited-edition piece. Why slow design matters is answered at FRONT who believe that waiting a few months for a bespoke rug is something to be celebrated. Discover the techniques, materials and processes behind the most sought after rugs in the world. Writer and author Emma Crichton-Miller and FRONT’s Creative Director Aigars Zelmenis discuss how to commission handmade rugs by award-winning designers Jan Kath, Michaela Schleypen and Zoe Luyendijk on Thursday 4 May, 6.30 -7.30pm. Design writer Barbara Chandler works with leading creative agency Design-Nation to present an exhibition of work by over twenty of their members. The exhibition runs from 4-7 May and is themed around marks and tools of the maker. It includes Margo Selby’s woven artworks. Don’t miss Barbara’s in conversation with Margo Selby, Michael Ruh and Hannah Tounsend. Margo Selby is a champion of British craft whose experimental approach to woven textiles has won her world acclaim. One area that Margo is most excited by is her ‘paintings with yarn’. These are hand-woven artworks using a technique called Lampas, which she learnt at Atelier National D’Art Textile in Paris. Recently the scale and ambition of these designs has developed into larger scale framed artworks. Each piece displays her fascination with the interaction between colour, proportion, texture and weave. Neisha Crosland’s distinctive designs for textiles, wallpaper, rugs, flooring, tiles, homes and fashion, have won her international fame. At LCW she talks pattern to Lucie Hague, founder of online platform Beyond Bespoke, and takes guests on a special behind-the scenes tour of her private studio, garden and home. Glean an insight into the evolution of a pattern, from an idea through the creative process to the finished product and receive a signed copy of her new book ‘Life of a Pattern’ on Thursday 4 May, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm. In her story in Sunday times Home, Katrina Burroughs commented that ‘in the era of “buying less but better” craft is king.’ Fall under the spell of the handmade here SUBLIMELY SCULPTURAL12/4/2017
Visionary designer–makers Nicola and Christopher Cox are causing a sculptural stir around the Pimlico Road circles where they have opened their first London showroom on Ebury Street. Serpent heads, surreal forests and oak leaves are just a few signature features. Part sculpture, part furniture, these are interior art pieces with functional roles to play.
‘We want our pieces to be beautiful and intriguing. The work is becoming increasingly experimental drawing together all the influences that inspire and motivate us, of which the possibilities are endless.’ Their inspiration often comes from the natural world and the history of art -from antiquity to modernism. But what unites each piece is a fascination with materials and a passion for process. Each creation infused with inventiveness and rooted with a deep knowledge of traditional techniques. How fabulous that we can now see and touch these pieces first hand in one of London’s most creative art, antiques and interior hubs. ‘We are designer-makers whose work is craft-orientated, sculpture based and infused with historical references. Nicola and I are sculptors and from the third generation of an antique dealing family. We have always been in love with The Pimlico Road. For nearly 40 years it has been home to the most interesting art and antique dealers alongside exceptional Interior decorators. The Pimlico road is a great showcase the for the finest British design and craftsmanship.’ The essence of the space is to showcase contemporary sculptural furniture and lighting designed and made in London by Nicola and Christopher Cox and their specialist team of artisans. New pieces include lost wax cast bronze furniture and lighting, sculpted by the duo and cast by their team. Cox London is part of London Craft Week with a special event that explores how to commission handmade furniture and lighting as well as undertaking private commissions. Telegraph Luxury design columnist and Wallpaper* editor at large Henrietta Thompson will be in conversation with Cox London on Wednesday 3 May, 5-6pm. Booked tickets via the London Craft Week website HERE. Cox London www.coxlondon.com Categories
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