Mac Collins

 

The chairs of Mac Collins almost feel like slipping into a well loved jacket, with the 'sleeve holes' for arms, elegant happy design.

Annemarie O'Sullivan

 

Annemarie O'Sullivan and Tom McWalter of Studio Amos, sometimes I like to include weaving on this blog, and the work of Studio Amos is so beautiful I had to include it here (Thank you Robyn). 

‘I didn’t grow up with a sense of or any understanding of beauty. I grew up in a very functional environment. There was a beautiful landscape out there, but it was kind of denied. I almost can’t believe that it wasn’t shared with me, but I made this discovery that beauty brings so much wellbeing. It’s really simple. It’s about appreciating the way things grow, what you live around and what you touch. It is about what is in your hand on an everyday basis.” Annemarie O'Sullivan

Studio Amos has been working with Gareth Neal to produce these woven backed chairs (below).

Josh Callaghan

 

Josh Callaghan's immensely satisfying sculptures of found twigs, sticks and branched arranged in tool sets.  

Ron Isaacs II

 

I was reminded by a friend this morning of the incredible trompe l'oeil work of Ron Isaacs who uses vintage clothing as his inspiration and carves the clothes into tender sculptures merging nature and the emotion of old clothing.

"My three primary recurring subjects are vintage clothing (for the way it continues the life of the past into the present, for its rich structures and colors and shapes, and for its anthropomorphic presence as a stand-in for the figure); plant materials in the form of sticks, leaves, flowers; and found objects. " - Ron Isaacs 

A craftman's catalogue of stringing and inlay...

A craftman's catalogue of stringing and inlay made from real veneer samples, no date, incredible skills and beauty.

Wolfgang Stiller

 

Matchstick men byWolfgang Stiller in PU Wood and PVA, this installation consists of several larger than life half burnt matchsticks which represent people suffering from a work burnout. 

"One could read those burned matches as worn-out or burned-out human beings. The installation can appear like a battlefield or just like some playground where someone played around with matches and dropped them. All the heads I’ve used so far are from Chinese people. This sometimes leads to the assumption that this is a criticism of the Chinese government. One can read it that way, but I think this metaphor could be used for any western system as well. The matchboxes could be simply seen as formal elements within the installation, as coffins or simply as matchboxes. I actually like to keep it open since I don’t like art that leaves no space for one’s own imagination." Wolfgang Stiller

Lindsay Mahood

 

It has been just over a week since I managed to get through to Glasgow, for a frantic visit to the degree show. My first interaction was with the wonderful Linsday Mahood who explained all about her brilliant research and collection made from  reclaimed Scottish Oak.

"My collection continues my academic inquiry into the untold stories of women who championed the suffragette movement of the 1900s. I’ve reinterpreted the hunger strike medal awarded to these courageous women. In reworking these medals, I aimed to amplify their significance and visibility, drawing inspiration from the boldness of the suffragette spirit. I wanted these medals to be unmistakable, to demand attention and recognition for these women’s remarkable bravery and sacrifice. I am committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility and have brought this into the crafting collection. To this end, I have chosen to work primarily with reclaimed oak and recycled Sterling Silver.

The collection’s specific pieces hold particular significance, each telling the story of Scottish suffragettes such as Flora Drummond, Ethel Moorehead, and Dr Dorothea Chalmers Smith. These pieces are poignant reminders of these trailblazing women’s indomitable spirit and unwavering determination. Ultimately, my work is a tribute to the resilience, courage, and enduring legacy of the suffragette movement. I aim to spark conversations about gender equality, activism, and the power of art to inspire social change." Lindsay Mahood