Design-Nation at Collect Art Fair 2021

After showing at Collect's inaugural and second editions, UK-based membership portfolio Design-Nation was delighted to return in 2021 with a curated selection of new and exceptional contemporary pieces focused primarily on metal, textile and wood.

The Design-Nation network includes some of the most acclaimed and innovative designers and craftspeople across the UK. For Collect 2021 Design-Nation presented twenty impressive makers, highlights include intricate hand-folded architectural sculpture by Fung + Bedford, striking lichen inspired ceramics by Linda Bloomfield and distinctive handwoven artworks by Margo Selby.

Here are a few pieces that caught our eye...

Margo Selby’s Vexilllum IV (2020) above pushes the boundaries of traditional weaving techniques to create distinctive handwoven artworks which unite a modernist aesthetic with the depth and texture that is inherent in woven textiles.

Fluid, flowing lines are a characteristic of many of Angus Ross’ designs and in this new one-off piece, Waterfall Bench above, the steam-bent curves of ash are complimented with walnut joint details. Pulse of the Nation - between Hope and Despair by Janine Partington also above, explores mark making through carving and painting leathers. Creating distinctive and appealing surfaces, Partington shows a new way of exploring a very old material – leather.

Below, Fung + Bedford’s Chinese Laundry, made from 39 panels of hand-folded Tyvek, challenges the traditions of origami, exploring movement through textural form.

Indigo Overlay by Laura Thomas below, encases cotton and silk threads in resin exploiting weave principles to celebrate the beauty of yarns within the ancient craft of weaving. Similarly Linda Bloomfield’s work celebrates the details in ceramics, leaving dimples and visible throwing lines on pieces to show the hand of the maker. Inspired by lichens on her daily walks during lockdown, Lichenicolous Nesting Bowls below, represent the impact of air pollution, bringing awareness to reducing pollution and increasing biodiversity.

Below, Bauhaus II (five panel maquetry screen) by Christine Meyer-Eaglestone combines conventional, ‘reconstructed’ and dyed wood veneers to create this unique artwork. Christine lets each design evolve while intuitively responding to a multitude of colours and grains within the veneers, using a dynamic geometric composition as structure, central to the design.