Storytelling: London Art Fair Edit - Platform

Ruup & Form Platform-London Art Fair, 2021 We are delighted to be participating in London Art Fair 2021. This year the exhibition goes digital on Artsy, opening the works to audiences and collectors - globally. We are representing six artists for London Art Fair and four makers for Platform, London Art Fair. The theme for Platform 2021 is ‘ Folk Art’ . Responding to the theme of ‘Folk-Art’, Ruup & Form presents a curated experience of works with storytelling as its point of convergence, bridging the gap as it has done for centuries between people and cultures. Historically, ‘Folk Art’ refers to art made by highly skilled people, with no formal training. Their wish to express themselves creatively, allowing their idiosyncrasies to seep through their art. This was sometimes self-taught, learnt through watching and evolving but integral in providing an insight into the life of ordinary people, cultures and folklores. As we delved on presenting works for Platform this year, we focused on the simple and most feverish reason to create Folk Art- Storytelling. The artists for this exhibition work with different material, threaded with their quality to interact through their storytelling, yet reminiscent of a bygone era.

Makers                     Disciple                       Nationality                      Erum Aamir              Ceramist                       British

Ellen Hayward          Ceramist                       British                          Claire Malet             Metal and Silversmith      British

Line Nilsen              Textile Artist                   Norwegian

Clare Pentlow           Paper Sculpture             British                  Cathryn Shillings       Glass                           British

Hannah Walters        Ceramist                       British

Anne Butler             Ceramist                        British

Lisa Jones               Ceramist                        British

Katie Spragg           Ceramist                        British

Erum Aamir, Ceramist

Erum Aamir is a ceramist based in Manchester, United Kingdom with origins from Pakistan. As a trained physicist, she is fascinated when nature constructs something atom by atom or cell by cell and how the patterns that lay repeatedly deep down in matter and living organisms create irregular forms and shapes outwardly. She was drawn to the details hidden from the naked eye, exploring them through the microscope, her ceramic sculptures blur the lines between art and science. With a previous Masters’ in Physics (1996), Erum gradated in Three Dimension Design (2019) from Manchester University. Erum was the Winner of Excellence award BCTF 2020 'Form & Function' Award and the Wells Contemporary Award 2019 . She handworks her porcelain with very limited use of tools or equipment, which contributes to understanding the material closely. Her work is about repetitive forms which mimic the process of growth, finding this repetitiveness meditative and comforting. The repetitive nature of bringing together many components creates a rhythm and facilitates an active trance of intention. Erum studies the collection of microscopic slides at the Herbarium of the Manchester Museum for her inspiration for the sculptures. Through creating sculptures with these microscopic studies as her reference and inspiration, Erum establishes the beauty of nature - visible and invisible to the naked eye. This amalgamation of scientific research and her own creative inputs is the basis of her porcelain sculptures.

Note by Erum Aamir’s Enchanted (2019) for London Art Fair

Enchanted, the series is the microscopic study of pollen grains. Nature is full of wonders and never ceases to amuse its observer. The deeper you go, the more spellbound you get. This series of porcelain sculptures is inspired by the microscopic study of pollen grains. Under a microscope, nature reveals its wonders differently to an artist than to a scientist. An artist can never stop their imaginations from entwining with observations, leading them astray into an unknown world full of peculiar things; things you would find in an enchanted land, far-far away. 

Anne Butler, Ceramist

Anne Butler is a ceramist, having travelled and lived extensively in many countries teaching, she now lives and works from Carryduff, Northern Ireland. Anne studied ceramics at the University of Wales and furthered her practice with a masters in ceramics from the University of Ulster. Anne creates striking sculptures in Parian porcelain, experimenting both with raw and fired state of the material, her extensive palette of techniques- casting, hand-building and printing, are continuously challenged and developed with multiple firings which accentuates the porcelain’s satin, marble-like quality when solid and the delicacy and translucency when thin. Her sculptures are inspired by natural and manmade structures and are constructed - layered - deconstructed – collapsed and excavated, to reveal associations between cultural and individual memory as well as contrasting qualities of strength and fallibility and material properties such as texture and density. She adds, “There is much reminiscent of archaeology, geology and architecture in my work which explores relationships between process, material and time.” Anne has showcased at Korean International Ceramic Biennale (Incheon 2019), Ceramic Art Fair (London, 2020) amongst others. She has won the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Support for individual Artists (2019) and Rosemary James Memorial Fund Award, Administered by the ACNI (2018) . Anne’s work is part of the Art Collection at Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Irish Contemporary Ceramic Collection in Limerick, Ireland.

Note by Anne Butler about Contain series

There is much reminiscent of Archaeology, Geology and Architecture in the work. Material culture, shaped cultural meaning and abstract ideas are explored in the contrast between the permeance of the cube and the fallibility of a partially obscure internal labyrinth of light and shadow a wide palette of techniques are used to construct, layer, deconstruct and fragment to reveal relationships between process, time and material.

Ellen Hayward,Ceramist

Ellen Hayward is a designer and ceramist based in Whitstable. Ellen studied textile design at Bath School of Art, specialising in weaving, and continues to work as a textile designer alongside her own ceramics practice, enjoying the contrasts and cross overs between the two disciplines. She has always maintained a love of illustration and aims to create playful, colourful pieces which bring a little bit of joy. Her work explores a fondness for character and includes influences from lino cuts and English slipware pottery. She likes to think of her work as 3-dimensional prints and uses techniques including brush work and sgraffito to achieve a bold, graphic quality to her ceramic surfaces. Each piece is originally created out of hand thrown forms made on the potters wheel, with just a few small details being modelled on later. Some are also used to make plaster moulds for slip casting in small batches. All decoration is applied by hand to give each design its own unique character.

Note by Ellen Hayward, Gathering (2020) for London Art Fair

Gathering considers the joy which can be found in miniature work and the harmony of small groupings. The work is intended to be playful, each group creating a pocket of amusement and curiosity which invites the viewer to inspect more closely. Being small in scale and easy to fit into a variety of spaces, they aim to highlight the importance of bringing a little bit of humour and delight into our day to day lives. Each figure is individually created from tiny forms made on the potters wheel, with additional details being modelled on after. They are then individually hand painted to give each figure their own unique character. Grouped together they aim to form a narrative which is open to each observers own interpretation and imagination. 

Claire Malet, Metal and Silversmith

Claire Malet is a metal and silversmith artist based in Herefordshire. Her work is a response to the relationship between the natural environment and the resources it provides, our use of them and their perceived value. Claire's work is inspired by the shapes and textures of natural forms and landscapes: fragments of sea-worn shells, the rock formations of a battered coastline, a curl of split bark, the dancing light, and shadow of woodland. She also draws inspiration directly from the characteristics of the materials used, allowing the medium to suggest a direction and to find a relationship with the subject matter. Claire works mainly with recycled metals: silver, steel, aluminium, and uses a variety of making techniques, but ‘feeling the way’ and experimenting is key in her practice. This approach allowing the materials to reveal their character and welcome the unexpected. Claire’s work can be found in public collections such as Victoria & Albert Museum, National Museum Wales, Manchester Art Gallery, and Bilston Craft Gallery.

Note by Claire Malet about Abbots Pool (2019)

This piece is one of a series of sculptural vessels which attempts to capture the quiet beauty of an atmospheric place, a favourite place, much visited, rain falling quietly on deep dark pools in the woods. The pieces are worked with hand tools and heat from a steel can, the interiors are hand gilded with moon gold, the exteriors are lacquered and waxed to enhance and protect the natural oxidised colours of the metal.

Line Nilsen , Textile Artist Line Nilsen is a designer, textile artist and hand weaver based in Nottingham. After completing a tailoring apprenticeship in 2006, Line left Norway to study Textiles at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, graduating with a 1st in 2009. This was where she discovered her love for weaving. Line went on to further her skill, gaining industry knowledge working for renowned textile companies with a worldwide customer base. Line is a highly skilled multifaceted weaver, able to draw on a wealth of experience to produce versatile work. Since 2016 she has been creating hand crafted one of a kind woven textile art, whilst doing bespoke commission weavings and working as a design consultant / collaborator from her Nottingham studio. Along side her own practice, she teaches weave at Loughborough Uni and Nottingham Trent University and offers classes, talks and workshops relating to her specialism. Line’s work is an emotional response to the arctic landscape where she grew up, where the extreme absence and presence of light throughout the seasons have strong influence on mind and body. The work evolves throughout the process of making, exploring colour and texture to create a sense of place. Her abstract weaves are suggestive of landscapes, connecting the viewer to places from her own past. The appreciation of process is evident in Line's work. She hand dyes her warps prior to weaving, often in multiple stages, adding layers of shades for depth. Combining her love of minimalist design with her respect for craft, Line makes contemporary hand woven art with focus on colour, texture and composition.

Note by Line Nilsen, Fjell (2020) for London Art Fair My interpretation of the theme ‘Folk Art’, was to make work that communicates the culture and landscape of my home country, Norway. Folk art is a way of communication used to tell stories and connect. I want to connect the viewer with the land where I grew up, to shine a light on the natural beauty of the Arctic through my hand woven artwork. The work is a love letter to my heritage - a way for me to pay homage to a place I left behind, but still feel strongly connected to. Working to the theme ‘Folk Art’, I started thinking about why we continue to make and how cultures have communicated the ordinary through folk art for centuries. We learn traditional crafts, which are passed down through generations, to tell stories about our way of life. The series of work made for London Art Fair was inspired by winter landscapes in the North of Norway, looking at the natural light throughout the winter seasons and way of life in the darkness of the Arctic circle. The colours seen in winter are just beautiful, all kinds of shades of blue and the darkest deepest skies. I take inspiration from traditional techniques to create contemporary work, in response to the Arctic and my background. What was once my ordinary everyday life, has now become my heritage and past. This series of work is a response to my own lived experiences and admiration of the extreme seasons I so deeply miss. The series of work made for London Art Fair was named FJELL, which means mountain in Norwegian. The series depicts mountain landscapes, looking at the light and contrast created by dark winter skies and snow-covered mountains. 

Clare Pentlow, Paper Sculptures

Clare found her love of paper at University in Swansea where whilst studying textiles she began working with paper which slowly became the material of choice. Since leaving university she worked on different projects as she gained experience and expanded her own knowledge of paper manipulation. In 2014 she won the Rugby Open and was rewarded with her first solo show. Following her success Clare exhibited across the country winning Best Exhibitor Prize for her 3 artworks in Made in the Middle a touring exhibition of the best craft in the Midlands. In 2018, Clare was awarded Next Wave Associate at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and recently became a member of Design Nation. Her work has been selected for ING Discerning Eye, London, 2019 and 2020 and the Royal Academy of Arts, Sumer Exhibition , 2018 Paper continues to be a fascination for Clare, hand cutting and folding, creating ever more intricate and textured artworks. She enjoys challenging the perception of paper as an ordinary material transforming it to be extraordinary, constantly refining and looking for perfection whilst embracing the versatile qualities of strength and fragility. Through precision hand cutting and folding, her pieces evolve over time through methodical repetitive motions building layer upon layer resulting in highly textured mesmerising pieces of art which draw the viewer in. The methodical approach Clare takes is rooted in her love of maths and science continually being inspired by patterns and colours in nature.

Artist note about Oscillate, Fluctuate, Pulsate

The series of new pieces I’ve returned to working with concentric circles and experimenting with the dynamics of the designs, fluctuating the variance of the length and depth of repetitive shapes. Creating an undulating surface with troughs and peaks creating shadow to fascinate and draw the viewer in. The colours I was led to from many walks through my local neighbourhood from the bright punchy greens and yellows found in the lichen growing on trees to the grey brooding skies above just before the rain fell.

Cathryn Shillings , Glass

Cathryn Shilling is a glass artist, living and working in London. After graduating in Graphic Design from Central School of Art and Design in London, Cathryn worked as a Designer until her family’s move to the USA in 2001 prompted her to pursue a new and exciting creative direction. She studied the art and craft of Stained Glass in Connecticut and then on her return to London in 2004 Cathryn began studying and working with kiln formed glass as well as becoming a student of blown glass. Cathryn’s years in graphic design allowed her to develop skills in a wide range of creative processes and products, and enabled a natural and spontaneous move into glass. Cathryn finds glass the perfect medium, giving her the creative and technical freedom and enabling her to create something tangible and enduring. In contrast to her kiln formed pieces she finds that blown glass allows her to investigate and work in a more immediate and direct way with her chosen material, drawing inspiration from its molten state in order to produce unique and tactile vessels.

Note by Artist about Precious Vessel

The association between glass and precious metals has a long history. ‘Gold glass’ where gold leaf is encapsulated between layers of glass is an ancient technique dating back to Hellenistic Greece. The Romans perfected a technique using blown glass in order to produce decorated drinking vessels often with portraits of private individuals. These are believed to have been given as family gifts commemorating important events such as weddings. For my ‘Precious Vessels’, a bubble of richly coloured hot glass is rolled over precious metal leaf. Once coated the bubble is then cased over with another gather of clear hot glass before the piece is blown and shaped by hand into the elegant form of an urn. The relationship between precious metals and art has continued through the centuries and has been used to reflect what humans give most value to such as religion, love and success. But in my ‘Precious Vessels’ there is no detailed figurative imagery nor complex symbolism. I simply enjoy the random patterning that is created when the encapsulated gold or silver leaf is broken apart into thousands of pieces as the glass is blown I have chosen the classic shape of the urn for these vessels of containment.

Hannah Walters, ceramist

Hannah Walters is a ceramic artist based in Cardiff and is the 2019/20 recipient of the Fireworks Studios residency. Time spent working in her family’s antique centre has heavily inspired her work. It developed a real interest in objects and how they were made. She creates a mix of sculptural and functional items, often blurring the line between. Her work mostly comprises of an unusual mix of crank clay and porcelain. This begins the discussions of value and conflict in her work. She aims to make contemporary antiques, objects tied to both the past and present. “Vase with Flowers” can be found in the Aberystwyth Ceramics Collection and Archive. Her ceramic sculptures have been shown across the UK, including “Sculpture in the landscape” in West Leaze, “Tanio//Ignite” with Aberystwyth Art Centre and solo show “The Gods of Consumerism” with Oriel Q in Narberth. Hannah studied ceramics in Coleg Sir Gâr in Carmarthen where a ceramics module, taught by ceramist Peter Bodenham, changed her path from a degree in Ancient History to one on Contemporary Crafts with Falmouth University. This led to her graduation in Ceramics MA from Cardiff Met University in 2019 with distinction. Her work has been shown in art magazines and journals such as Ceramic Monthly USA, Emerging Potters and Studio Potter. She has also worked with a number of organisations on projects and art demonstrations including the Eden project, Falmouth Art Gallery and the National Trust property, Trellissick Gardens.

Note by Artist

These ceramic vessels are a mix of traditional form with contemporary imagery. They are full of contrasts from choice of material, porcelain and crank clay, to the satisfying yet unnerving clash of traditional sprigs mixed in with the pop of hearts and stars. This imagery serves as visual anchors, stretching the work between different time periods. The urns and vases tease at functionality with lids and handles, yet most are sealed shut by the layers of porcelain decoration that surround their forms. These objects are filled with this tension, both heavy and still, yet delicate and filled with energy.

Katie Spragg, ceramist

Katie Spragg is a ceramic artist and educator, lives and works out of London. In 2016, she earned her Masters from Royal College of Art in Ceramics and Glass. Katie’s catalogue of work includes a piece in the V&A Museum collection and commissions for the British Ceramics Biennale and Sotheby’s. Her work has been exhibited by the Craft Council in London and Miami, included in the British Council’s touring Film Festival and presented at solo shows at Blackwell, Arts and Crafts House and the Garden Museum.

Katie tutors at the Royal College of Art, is a founding member of Collective Matter; an outreach group who pioneer collaborative practice through clay and has developed a Clay for Dementia programme with the Garden Museum. Her current project at the museum with Lambeth Young Carers has been awarded Arts Council funding.