Shirley Buchan, who studies Textiles and Surface Design at Gray’s School of Art, has won first prize in the Bridge of Weir Leather Competition and will have her work exhibited at 100% Design, the UK’s leading contemporary interiors event, as well as being awarded £160. The Gray’s students who took part in the competition were asked to be as creative as possible with leather, a material they are not normally familiar with. Shirley was awarded first prize on behalf of Bridge of Weir, who supplied the leather for students to use in the project. Her work explored the positive and negative aspects in nature, looking at parts of a plant or leaf rather then translating the positive and negative impressions onto the leather itself. Lecturer Isobel Mowat who oversaw the project said, “Shirley is a mature student who will really get a confidence boost from this recognition of her talent. Bridge of Weir produce bespoke luxury items and therefore the items that the students produced could actually be used it the real world, so it’s very exciting!”

 Curriculum Vitae

Exhibiting at ‘New Designers’, Design Centre, London. July 2010 

Work selected for the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. 2010

Work selected for Modern Artists Gallery, Whitchurch on Thames 2010

Work selected for the Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford. 2010

Artist in residence, Buckinghamshire New University, two-year appointment. 2008 -10

Commission inspired by residency for Stoke Mandeville Hospital. 2010

Artist in residence, Stoke Mandeville Hospital. 2010

Work selected for the Grimmerhus Gallery, Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark 2010

Exhibition ‘Bingeing Britain’ Grimmerhus, Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark. 2009

Work selected for permanent collection at the Grimmerhus Museum, Denmark. 2009

Exhibition ‘Bingeing Britain’ at Gallery Botex, Skælskør, Denmark. 2008

Residency on ‘Network Project’ at the International Ceramic Research Centre, Denmark.  2008

Awarded The Arts Council Lottery Funding for Denmark Residency.

Ceramics and Glass B.A. 1st Class Honours Degree Buckinghamshire New University.  2002-2008

Awarded the ‘B.N.U. Prize’ for highest dissertation mark within the School of Design & Craft. 2008

Awarded the ‘Ede & Ravenscroft Prize’ at university for high achievement through adversity. 2008

Commission for Commemorative Font Bowl. St Michaels and all Angels Church, Marston, Oxford.

‘Willoware’ images selected for publishing, Lark Books, ‘500 Plates & Chargers’. July 2008

Curated ‘Vessels & Views’ 20^th Century Pottery & John Piper. Aylesbury Museum, Buckinghamshire.

Received the ‘Medal of Excellence’. Awarded by City & Guilds of London. 2000

Exhibited at Victoria & Albert Museum, London. ‘Inspired by the V&A’ competition. 1999 & 2001

      ‘Flatback Figure Groups’

The working methods employed here draw upon a rich and broad ceramic history. However, by utilizing the forms of discarded consumer objects within my work I juxtapose, subvert and then reaffirm values creating a contemporary reflection upon the human condition.

Interpreting narrative with a surface aesthetic derived from naïve rawness and controlled randomness helps develop the qualities I value and strive to create within this body of work.

Thrown, extruded and press-moulded ‘Creamware’ body elements bonded at leather-hard stage, Traditional Staffordshire glaze, Approximate height 21cms, 2010.

Not fazed by big names Gunilla Karlson has worked behind the scenes with everyone from Jamiroquai to Womack&Womack, toured Europe with Roni Size and made Gilles Peterson an international Radio DJ.

She moved into the limelight when she starred as an actress alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tilda Swinton in 'The Beach', directed by Oscar Winner Danny Boyle and managed kissing Paul Whitehouse in 'Happiness' (BBC) without laughing out loud.

Now, Gunilla is taking centre stage at New Designers 2010 with her unique DarkBird Collection - modern yet tribal silver and gold jewellery with fragile filigree embedded within bold, contemporary lies. Bird skull pendants and arrow-pierced bird brooches echo themes of death, emotional pain and ecological (im-)balace, yet hightlight the beauty that can be found within all of these.

Gunilla will be at J9a.

gunilla_karlson@yahoo.co.uk

(44) 7946411077

www.darkbird.yolasite.com

Rachael Leeson

Surface pattern designer

21 Avondale Road
Barlestone
Nr Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV13 0HX

mobile: 07704909509
email: rach_leeson@hotmail.com
website: www.rachaelleeson.tk

New Designers ‘09

My passion for crafting items with my hands started at a young age and I later discovered wood as my ideal medium for self-expression. Having completed a National Diploma in Design Crafts, an AS level in Ceramics, and an HND in Furniture Studies and now the degree course at the University of Lincoln, I am excited to take my first step into the world of furniture design and craftsmanship. It is my hope to remain in Lincolnshire.

My work is inspired by my own experiences, passions and the world around me; I have based designs on architecture, natural forms, science fiction and my own imagination. My work this year has centred on science fiction themes and concepts. I am exhibiting my ‘Sci-Fi Cabinet’ – ‘TOS’ (The Original Series) along with a supporting body of design work. The ‘TOS’ cabinet has been made to look as anatomical as possible, utilising metal bar joints and contrasting timbers, to give the appearance of mechanised joints, with one component moving over another, and the body enhanced with laser engraved circuit detailing.

This is an entirely speculative item of furniture, designed as self-expression, but also as a way of demonstrating the abilities I have acquired in the course of my education. Made from walnut with maple and threaded steel rod ‘TOS’ exhibits both traditional (Tennon and Mitre) and contemporary (Resin & Bar) joints, application of new technology (laser engraving), and effective use of veneers as well as interpretation of traditional fan construction in the door.

Whilst ‘TOS’ is a speculative piece my target audience is not restricted to fans of science fiction media. With the increasing presence of sci-fi in the mainstream film, TV, and literature scene, more and more people are open to the aesthetic these possible futures present. Therefore my audience is essentially anyone affected by these images. The piece showcases my abilities and is designed to inspire a vision of what I could produce for a client.

W:

E: SamGHewitt@aol.com    

M: 07763 874714

HND Furniture Studies

B.A (Hons) Furniture Design & Craftsmanship

Bucks New University

Queen Alexander Road

High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire

HP11 2JZ

 

Tel. 01494 522141

 

PRESS RELEASE 09-04-09

 

 

Bucks New University’s designer/makers make waves at London’s New Designers Exhibition.

 

Students of the HND Furniture Studies and B.A(Hons) Furniture Design and Craftsmanship are proud to share a stand for the first time ever among Britain’s brightest young design talent at this year’s New Designers exhibition.

 

New Designers is the foremost event in graduate design where professional and public visitors discover the creative energy of the next generation. Under the banner of Furniture@Bucks, the students will be displaying their work in Part 2 of the show from 16-19 July. The event takes place at the Business Design Centre in London: www.newdesigners.com

 

The processes of design and make are integral to both courses with each displaying a varied array of highly crafted work. The methods adopted by the students vary from tried-and-tested traditional joinery to cutting-edge means of manipulating new materials and processes. The courses have close ties to industry; One example, student Oliver Haddon (HND), has been sponsored by DuPont to use their solid surface material Corian. Whilst at the other end of the spectrum Student James Peixoto (HND) uses otherwise discarded materials to reinvent forgotten furniture such as the stand alone plate rack.

 

The international reputations of both courses, with students from as far afield as New Zealand, Tokyo and Korea, allows for a genuine cross-fertilization of design and make ideas ending in new furniture form. Their large open plan workshops actively encourages this. Most all the work addresses contemporary design issues as well as to challenge established perceptions of craft. Visitors can expect an exciting, unusual, witty and eclectic mix of ideas, colours and materials, all finished to exacting standards.

 

For the students, this final year has been an exciting one. The acclaimed designer Martino Gamper was invited to run a one week project in which students were asked to bring in at least two old or discarded chairs. By the end of the week all the chairs had been reinvented. By using the legs of one and the seat of another, strange, wonderful and often humourous combinations had been reconstructed. The culmination resulted in students showcasing their work at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

 

Others showed their enterprising streak winning The Apprentice Challenge, a University wide competition to test student’s ability to sell and make a profit. Team “wooden it be nice,” turned their £250 sponsorship into just under £1000. This, along with their £1200 prize went a long way to funding their participation at New Designers.

 

 

 

Like many graduates this year, the students face an uncertain job market and New Designers represents a golden opportunity for them to meet potential clients, find employment and join the next generation of Britain’s designers. “We can’t wait to give it a go, it’s scary, but it’s very exciting.”

 

For more information please contact Andrew Shenton (Head of Furniture Design and Craftsmanship) on 01494 522141 email: andrew.shenton@bucks.ac.uk

 

Notes to the editor:

 

New Designers is presented in 2 parts with different makers and disciplines represented in each. Part 1 is from 9-12 July and Part 2 is from 16-19 July 2009 at the Business Design Centre, Upper Street, Islington, London N1. www.newdesingers.com

 

New Designers - Part 1 (9-12 July 2009)

Contemporary Applied Arts

Ceramics and Glass

Textiles, Fashion & Accessories

Jewellery & Metalwork

 

New Designers - Part 2 ( 16-19 July 2009)

Product Design

Furniture Design

Illustration and Animation

Graphic Design & Interactive Media Photography

Spatial Design (Architecture, Interior Design, Theatre Design & Model Making)

 

-it is also possible to identify and commission young designers working in a variety of disciplines from jewellery to furniture by visiting www.newdesignersonline.com

 

Ticket prices on the door:

£14 single day ticket 9£9 concession)

£25 unlimited access

 

Ticket prices in advance via website or booking office:

£9.50 single day ticket +£1.50 booking fee

£21.50 unlimited access

 

Ticket booking line: 08448 480 136 or website: www.newdesigners.com

Visitor registration will go live from mid April 2009

 

For press information, images and registration details for New Designers please visit:

www.newdesigners.com or contact PR consultancy:

Articulate Communications - Tel 020 7287 1922; Email newdesigners@articulate.co.uk

PASSIONS

JEWELLERS,SILVERSMITHING,DESIGN,ART,CULTURE,FUN,IDEAS,COLLECTING,2D-3DECO-CYCLE ,PEOPLE,THINKING,IMPROVEMENT,EXERCISE,NATURE,WATER.CHOCOLATE.

DISLIKES

BROKEN YOLKS

BE WELL

CONLETH