Support local makers this Christmas at Present Makers 2022
A leading exhibition in the UK’s craft calendar, Present Makers 2022 features original, hand-crafted gift ideas showcasing the talent and innovation of contemporary craftspeople and design makers in the South West.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) is proud to support South West designer makers through their programme of selling showcases in the gallery and gallery shop.
From open submissions, Present Makers 2022 has been carefully curated to highlight the quality, variety and inspiration of local designer makers working across a range of materials including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, prints, glass and wood. All of the work is for sale.
This year’s exhibition theme is nature, whether this is natural materials used, colours inspired by nature or sustainable making processes. THG is shining a spotlight on key jewellery and ceramics collections and is delighted to showcase the work of emerging makers.
Emmy Palmer Glass
During her degree at The Plymouth College of Art, Emmy Palmer started combining knitted metals with blown glass and has been refining the technique ever since. This year, Emmy was selected to take part in an exciting new mentoring TV show 'Making It At Market, presented by Dom Chania from The Repair Shop. The show will air on the BBC later this year.
"Living in Plymouth, surrounded by the sea and the moors, I find I am never short of inspiration. To combine knitting and glass just seems like a natural form of self-expression for me. I love to knit. It's a skill that has been passed down my family for generations. The concentration needed and the repetitive hand movements make knitting and crochet really therapeutic and I see it as a form of self-care."
Benjamin Boyland
Benjamin has lived all his life in the South West and currently lives and works in Budleigh Salterton. His focus is largely on turning wood and stone. He is part of the acclaimed Guild of Master craftsmen.
Benjamin enjoys using a mix of green, seasoned and reclaimed wood. Almost all the wood is sourced locally and carefully selected then crafted, the form being inspired by the grain and the natural markings, such as live edges, burrs, spalting and knots.
"My favourite wood to work with is fruit wood, such as apple and cherry. Primarily due to the smell of the wood as it is being carved, how it feels to carve and also the look of the finished item - the grain and how it feels to hold.
"I get lost in the process of using wood and stone to create beautiful and useful items such as bowls. It is a calm meditative process that requires focus and allows my thoughts to be quietened and softened."
Jessica Cutler
Jessica is a textile designer/maker, producing hand woven fashion and lifestyle accessories. Her work takes inspiration from her home county of Devon; an ever-changing palette of colour, textures and patterns in the landscape bring life to her work.
Sustainability is very important. Her products are fully biodegradable and recyclable, using only 100% wool and reusable materials.
"I produce all my work on four handlooms, all of varying ages and sizes. I love that I can take a piece of yarn and turn it into something useful and beautiful, and the connection to a process that’s been around for thousands of years."
Natty Deco
Natty Deco’s hand painted birchwood flowers, paper cut cards, and seasonal decorations are designed and made by Maggie Powell.
Working primarily with FSC accredited Finnish Birchwood, low or zero VOC paint finishes, and Somerset Paper produced locally at St. Cuthbert’s Mill, Wells, all materials are responsibly sourced from ethical suppliers. This year, the decorations are threaded up on natural waxed linen thread and Berisford’s ribbon made from 100% recycled yarn.
"Taking inspiration from flora, fauna, and a wee bit of folklore, I produce my work in small batches - each flower and decoration is designed, laser cut, and hand finished by me in my Somerset studio."
RAMP – (Roop & Al Make Pots) is a creative collaboration between Rupert Johnstone & Alice Hartford, who create functional, decorative earthenware and porcelain studio ceramics. In 2004 they moved to Devon and to their house and workshop in Silverton.
Their range of slip decorated earthenware is built up in layers using different brushstrokes when the pots are still wet. This allows for a certain fluidity and a sense of movement within the designs. Their aim has always been to make bright, cheerful and joyful pots that mix some of the traditions of slipware with a range of other influences from the natural world, ceramics, painting and illustration.
Roop: "I enjoy the tactile quality of clay and have always liked the immediacy of throwing and the rhythms of making. I have a liking for simple, clean forms as they make good platforms for Alice’s decoration."
Alice: "My approach to painting the pots has evolved over the years that Roop and I have been working together. Inspiration comes from the natural world and, in turn, this is abstracted into various patterns and motifs found on the pots. I like to treat all the pots individually, working on them like drawings."
The exhibition opens on Saturday 12 November with inspiring demos from exhibiting craftspeople. Discover the art of jewellery making, printmaking and ceramic sculpting. Visitors can drop in anytime between 10am and 5pm.
The gallery will also offer coordinating winter workshops including wreath making - visit thelmahulbert.com for more details.
Councillor Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder Tourism, Leisure, Sport and Culture said, "THG's Christmas exhibition is the perfect opportunity to support small business by buying unique, hand-crafted Christmas gifts. Buying from a local craftsperson is giving back to the community.
"The gallery is proud of its long history of working with our local artist community, and celebrating the talent on our doorstep."
Present Makers 2022
12 November - 24 December
Opening event: Saturday 12 November, 10-5 including free artist demos, mulled wine and mince pies.
Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
