WOVEN NARRATIVES - A COLLABORATION

During the summer of 2021 I worked in collaboration with the luxury brand Smythson of Sloane Street to celebrate London Craft week. I aimed to produce a series of work inspired by the Smythson story.

The Smythson Story

The work recognises the Smythson narrative by the use of pure plant fibre, gold leaf and the signature blue connections and references are clear: the use of the pure fibre substructure carrying gold embellishments, referencing the perceived low value nature of paper carrying the riches of the written word. The story of the Smythson iconic blue paper starting as an accident in the pulp references the creative potential in Gill Wilson’s papermaking studio.

‘The small additions or richly applied gold leaf suggest moments, perhaps of inspiration or ideas or happiness. All these seem to resonate with journals and people’s lives, moments captured and noted in multi-faceted lives and thoughts. The pieces are minimal in form but complex in nature and nod to a time and value so greatly needed in a world where we aspire to reflect upon and value what we have – to stop and think, look and appreciate.

Years have gone into creation of the Smythson Brand to achieve the depth of understanding of respectful apparent simplicity veiling a richness of depth and complexity. My work aims to reflect these qualities: through reworking, laying down of layers, textural, quiet, pure white or neutral...