20 Makers, 20 Objects: Design-Nation celebrates signature style
In 2020, Design-Nation is celebrating twenty years of championing and supporting the UK’s incredibly talented and multifaceted design and craft sector. Design-Nation’s objective of bolstering business opportunities and creative development initiatives across the contemporary design and craft sector is more important than ever.
‘Design-Nation continues a new journey and what better time to celebrate its 20 years than now, in a landscape that challenges all creatives.’ (Andrew Tanner, Brand Ambassador for Design-Nation and Design Manager for Sainsbury's Home and Argos Home.)
20 Makers, 20 Objects
Showcasing the diversity of the UK’s craft and design talent is critical during these unprecedented times. In Design-Nation’s first landmark project, ‘20 Makers, 20 Objects’, we have curated an online showcase that celebrates selected signature pieces of design from our network. Incorporating a wide array of materials and practices, ‘20 Makers, 20 Objects’ demonstrates some of the most innovative and enduring artworks and products that our members have created to date. In a simple brief, we asked our membership of over 250 designers and makers: ‘Do you have an artwork or product that is successful, in demand, aesthetically pleasing, innovative, that absolutely exemplifies you as a designer-maker, and epitomises what your practice is about? What piece of work do you consider to be the perfect example of your signature style?’
Above (L-R): Jacky Puzey and Janine Partington
With the high calibre of our members’ work, Design-Nation received a huge number of exceptional applications, and as a consequence, the selection process proved to be quite a challenge. The final twenty makers chosen to take part in the project are scattered widely across the UK, and are representative of Design-Nation’s far-reaching programme. The craft disciplines on display are diverse: working with an extensive choice of materials, the makers are versatile and skilled in both hand and machine processes. Each finished object speaks eloquently of its maker’s approach to materials, processes, and innovation, while conveying their own particular way of seeing the world.
‘There is a huge spread of skills in “20 Makers, 20 Objects”, from the traditional to the experimental. These are not rarefied pieces to set on pedestals at an art fair, but works to cherish and use at home or in public spaces. Moreover, this special celebratory selection is just the tip of an iceberg of excellence: there are well over 200 more makers to browse online.’ (Barbara Chandler, Brand Ambassador for Design-Nation and the design editor of Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard.)
Above: Katie Lowe
Objects for pleasure and investment
In ‘20 Makers, 20 Objects’, we find a variety of charming pieces, that offer the user everyday moments of pleasure. They include: Josie Walter’s earthenware lunch plate, with its two busy hens; Snowden Flood’s ‘River Series’ of graphic screen-printed, fine bone china mugs; Angus Ross’s unconventional solid wood rocking stool; Bronwen Gwillim’s bold ‘Stacked Pebble’ necklace, made with both recycled plastic jewellery and a conscience; Benefield Spencer’s filigrana-style glass pouring jug; Linda Bloomfield’s tactile and biomorphic porcelain ‘dimpled’ bottle; and Laura-Jane Atkinson’s friendly, industrial-esque linoleum and glass ‘LIO’ stem vase.
Several of the objects are statement pieces, made to adorn homes and workplaces with aplomb. Artworks include Emily Jo Gibbs’s hand-stitched and quietly expressive ‘Fred in Yellow Jumper’, Michelle House’s colourful textile abstracts, and Janine Partington’s distinctive leather and acrylic paint-based ‘By the Sea’. There is Katie Lowe’s playful and elegant 'Eleven' vessels composition., Sasha Wardell’s slip-cast bone china ‘Layered Space’ bowl, and Majeda Clarke’s ‘Albers’ blanket, inspired by a mix of Bauhaus and modernism.
As part of ‘20 Makers, 20 Objects’, there are a number of investment pieces, made to give a sense of great pleasure: an intricate, double-sided merino scarf from BAKKA epitomises ‘contemporary wearable art’; a fine and delicate porcelain sake set from ERADU Ceramics draws inspiration from ‘The Great Wave of Kanagawa’; an ethereal set of Koi Lily pad footstools by Jacky Puzey is inspired by the symbolic Japanese fish; a ‘Burmese Balcony Necklace’ by Zara Schofield reflects the maker’s travels in Myanmar, and a photo taken of a building in Yangon; a sculptural light by Rachel Fitzpatrick, called ’Weaver’, is inspired by the ingenuity with which a bird builds its nest; a Paper Bowl by Hannah Lobley is made using her unique process of combining recycled paper with woodworking techniques; and a stunning turned and decorative wood vessel by Sally Burnett is part of her ‘Corvus Nero’ series.
Above (L-R): Angus Ross; BAKKA; Linda Bloomfield; Sally Burnett and Rachel Fitzpatrick
Celebrating signature style
With ‘20 Makers, 20 Objects’, Design-Nation wishes to celebrate those things that signify a maker’s signature style. The broad range of signature styles that we showcase in this project are testament to the UK’s incomparable design and craft sector. We found that signature styles are based on many facets of a maker’s character: a concern for the provenance of materials, a consideration of the relationship between a user and object, the ability to create connections with people, a focus on traditional processes combined with modern-day innovation, finding a place for craft in everyday life, and understanding sustainability and the environment.
“20 Makers, 20 Objects” is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the diversity of creative talent offered by members of Design-Nation. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate twenty years of such a great institution. I was a member in the early days with Peta Levi (Design-Nation’s founder) at the helm. Design-Nation signified a professional mix of makers and designers, who were empowered to champion creativity and embrace business opportunities. Today, Design-Nation represents this same blueprint, and has blossomed to bring a rich mix of talent together, as demonstrated in such a wonderful showcase.’ (Sue Pryke, Brand Ambassador for Design-Nation, designer and ceramicist.)
The ‘20 Makers, 20 Objects’ Showcase will run online from September 2020 at www.designnationshowcase.co.uk/20-makers-20-objects
| Banner Image (L-R): Jacky Puzey; Sasha Wardell; Majeda Clarke and Hannah Lobley