Home Comforts
Scotland's craftmakers and galleries offer an impressive range of design-led home furnishings and accessories. Compiled by Peggy Larcom, Tina Rose & Ian Sclater
Small Moon Pendulum Clock
Garry Brown produces environmentally sound pieces of functional artwork exclusively from driftwood.
His clocks, cabinets, rocking chairs and outdoor sculptures are full of individual character. http://driftwoodarts.yolasite.com - P.L.
Breeze Galleries are the exclusive outlets in Scotland for design-led furniture by Pacific Green under the brand Palmwood. The range is made in Fiji from 'senile' coconut palms trees, which provide a viable, ecologically sound replacement for tropical hardwoods, thus reducing rainforest destruction.
Research and development has resulted in a series of breakthroughs to enhance the durability, versatility and consistency of the palm, making it as strong as conventional hardwood.
The furniture designs are inspired by ancient Pacific Island artefacts and finished using intricate, traditional techniques. www.breeze-gallery.co.uk - I.S.
Spliced II. Photo David Williams
Glass and ceramic artist Jessamy Kelly combines both these media in her distinctive work.
Usually regarded as incompatible due to differences in their structure; these two materials are merged by Jessamy in a hot state to create unique artworks.
Emphasising the distinctive qualities of each material, she cuts away the glass to allow the light to pass through her unique forms to reveal the pâte de verre (literally, glass paste) and ceramic core. www.jessamykellyglass.com - T.R.
Triple Cake Stand
Helen Kemp takes inspiration for her whimsical ceramic pieces from Mexican and American folk art as well as Victorian Staffordshire figures, creating a colourful, joyful feeling in her work through facial expressions, body language and sometimes with the use of narrative.
Her range includes wall sconces, candlestick holders, bowls, boxes, cake stands and decorative pieces.
Check out Helen's work in 'Bright & Beautiful' at the Whitehouse Gallery in Kircudbright (until June 25). www.whitehousegallery.com - I.S.
New Mum
The unmistakeable work of Craig Mitchell expresses daily life through his ceramic figures in often humorous and unlikely scenarios.
He says: “Realising slightly surreal ceramic creations is my way of relating to the increasingly bizarre reality which forms the fabric of our daily lives.” Craig is one of several makers to be showcased in a flourishing selection of contemporary craft at this year's Pittenweem Arts Festival. (See full preview pages 46 & 47.)
www.craigmitchellceramics.com - T.R.
Stone tealight holders
Trained dry stone dyker Peter Dowden turned to sculpture after being fascinated by the variety of local stone in Dumfries and Galloway quarries from which he recyles material otherwise destined to be made into rubble or landfill.
He sculpts using basic hand tools, achieving results through slow, labour-intensive work. Peter's work can be seen at the Nail Factory in Dalbeattie. www.nailfactory.org.uk - I.S.
Vessels and bowls by Sarah Thirlwell are a celebration of how traditional techniques and discarded materials are given new life by contemporary craftmakers.
In Sarah's hands yogurt pots, vending cups and reclaimed acrylic and plywood take on graceful forms, their hand-turned curves accentuated by stripes of brilliant colour.
www.sarahthirlwell.com - P.L.
Belgian born Inge Panneels set up Idagos Contemporary Glass Studio in 1998 when she moved to Edinburgh.
Now based in the Scottish Borders, she designs and produces glassware, thematic sculptural works and commissioned architectural glass.
www.idagos.co.uk - P.L.
Drooping Daisies
Working from the WASPS studios in Kirkcudbright, glass artist Cressa McLaren produces a range of fresh, vibrant and colourful designs inspired by a life-long passion for plants and flowers acquired during her childhood in rural Ireland and precious times spent in her grandmother's Ayrshire garden.
Her functional yet strikingly beautiful pieces also playfully interpret retro designs of the 1950s.
www.cressamclaren.co.uk - I.S.
