The inspiration for this project stems from a previous group art residency at the Bowes Museum. The explorations of process investigated in the residency has since been fused with the progression of design goals for a commissioned WEFT ATELIER fine dining ware collection for a private patron of the arts.
Venturing into sculptural form allows stitch to be translated without reference to fabrics, freeing it from the association with textile and opening up possibilities.
Repetition provides the integrity which holds the piece together. Each stitch with equal importance, creating strength, taking on architectural form.
Through the act of holding together we avoid disintegration.
The casting of this piece captures the delicate communal act of purpose. A fusion of material and metaphysical realms, giving form to the intangible and provoking encounters and their entanglements. Dense and taught in part, expansive and accommodating in others.
The natural progression to evolve the collection was to move into fine metals to complete the ‘Provoking Encounters’ brief for the collection. Sharing the creative experience with another artist extends the idea further bringing valuable skills and additional inspirations to the process. The collaboration was realised with independent silversmith Patrick Hoye.
Hoye's special interest in casting and attention to fine detail made his studio the crucial artisan partner across this project. His understanding of the concept and his enthusiasm allowed him the opportunity to break free from standard smithing practice and bring previously untried concepts to create something truly unique. A determination to find the superlative process for such intricate source material has, through meticulous experimentation and with many pathways, giving further merit to the final craftsman process.
This allowed the partnership to craft an extensive ensemble of napkin rings and other table ornamentation to complement the elegantly hand-stitched Belgian linen napery to fully realise the brief and beyond, resulting in exquisite and detailed set pieces. Through the rendering of the fine stitch in a perfect yet fascinating tactile simulacrum, WEFT ATELIER created a storied collection the patron can share with their invited dining guests for decades to come.
Provoking Encounters. Development stages and numerous attempts to realise structure from fragility to create sculptural table pieces in fine metals based on textile art.
#private commission to brief (2023)
rayon thread, casting, solid silver
art partner: Patrick Hoye
August, 2023