Neighbourly Love: UK Creates 2017
- words by Anya
Ever since the UK made the decision to leave the EU, uttering the words “Britain” and “British” has felt a little uncomfortable.
Bloody Brexit has made talking about anything in British terms somewhat cringeworthy. But hell, there’s a huge helping of UK creatives doing wonderful things and surely that deserves some social rule bending?
From Feldspar in Dartmoor, to Intoart in Peckham, below we run-down some of our favourite UK-based creatives to feature on Zetteler’s News and Ideas pages in 2017.
We asked globally recognised creative Danny Sangra about his first feature length film, Goldbricks in Bloom.
“I wanted to write something true but I didn't want to be preachy. I hate a preachy film so it's more about the observations than finding an answer.”
More info here.
A seasoned curator and interiors visionary, our latest client comes with three decades of experience in contemporary art and design.
“I find all aspects of creativity enriching. I believe in the value of creativity in people’s lives, and like opportunities when I know that the work I do will touch many people’s lives. On a personal level, I love working with creative people and have been blessed to work with some amazing artists and designers. Giving visibility to their work, as well as my own, is hugely rewarding.”
Hear about Andrée's inspiration here.
Artist Tom Sewell talks education, uncertainty and the Nottingham art scene ahead of a new solo exhibition.
“The show is intentionally provisional, in a very real way I have absolutely no idea what I’ve made and why. Putting a show together and having other people interact with it will—hopefully—help me make sense of it.”
Read more about Tom's latest solo exhibition here.
Cath Brown, co-founder of Dartmoor-based Feldspar, lays down the design brand’s philosophy.
“We like the honesty of a basic sketch; we’ll refine that sketch but we won’t refine it to a grid, to any perfect geometry. That’s what machines are for; our objects are made by hand – they retain their personality. We spend a lot of time trying to pare things back to an original sketch – it’s easy to standardise a shape or a form when it comes to production because it’ll be easier to manufacture, but then the object would lose its playful essence.”
Find out more about Feldspar here.
Acclaimed designer and art director Charlotte Heal talks about her collaboration with Laboratory Perfumes.
“I draw inspiration from the everyday. I’m very drawn to uncanny situations and visuals that make you double-take, and the poetry of a really delicate moment captured feels rare and is something to be cherished”
See more of their collaboration here.
Monotype revives and reissues five typefaces by Berthold Wolpe, embracing the quirks and inconsistencies of the original designs.
In September, Monotype announced the revival and release of five classic typefaces designed by calligrapher and type designer Berthold Wolpe. Although born in Germany, Wolpe spent much of his life living and working in London. His designs can be found on branding for Sainsbury’s and Liverpool Football Club, the vinyl sleeve of a Beach Boys’ record and street signage for City of London. Although the typefaces are dramatically different, they all share a likeness in their ardent refusal to be geometrically precise. What appears to be inconsistencies and imperfections are in fact deliberate parts of the designs.
Intrigued? Find out more here.
Shoreditch-based social enterprise Restoration Station proves it is fit for royalty with a visit from the future king.
Like them or lump them, what could be more British more than the Royal Family? In September 2017, Restoration Station received a visit from his royal highness Prince William. The future king visited the Shoreditch-based social enterprise during its London Design Festival collaboration with designer Yinka Ilori and, much to our delight was only too happy to try out some of the volunteers’ handcrafted designs.
Hear more about the royal visit here.
The creative director of the Crafts Council on why craft plays such an important role in social, economic and cultural life.
“We spend a lot of energy challenging the erosion of art in education, giving young people the chance to discover their skills through our education programme, and championing the importance of creative and practical skills, not only for the craft stars of the future, but for everyone.”
We interviewed Annie, take a look here.
The charity’s chair of trustees discusses the importance of inclusivity, providing its guests with holistic support and how YOU can get involved.
“We welcome guests and volunteers from all backgrounds equally. We don’t make judgements about why people are homeless, or probe too deeply into their past life. We just see whether we think we are able to help them.”
Chair of trustees Andrew Hudson talks more about the shelter here.
Hello Yellow: Hackney New School
A series of posters created by a group of Hackney school children tackles mental health head-on.
“Through opening channels of communication about very complex and taboo subjects, we want to challenge society's restrictions on just talking and using creativity to heal and help.”
Find out more about this amazing project! Click here.
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