Introducing our new Maker Space artist – Lorna Bates
We’re delighted to introduce Lorna Bates as our new Maker Space resident artist.
Maker Space is an accessible studio situated right next to our galleries where artists, makers and designers from all backgrounds can develop their practices with a window onto the world.
Lorna is the second Maker Space artist to join us this year, following on from Georgia Nielson.
A start-up business creating bespoke wall-coverings
Lorna explains a little about her practice and plans for the space:
“Having completed several short business courses for creatives, run by Glyndwr University, I decided to embark on a small business start-up, making bespoke wall coverings. Everything from collaborations with interior designers and restoration projects, to one-off art installations on walled environments. This idea stemmed from one-off wallpaper paintings I made a couple of years ago for my MA in Art Practice, (also completed at Glyndwr).
“As a regular visitor to Tŷ Pawb I saw the call out for this opportunity on social media and immediately jumped at the chance. I was so excited, held my breath and was delighted to be selected as one of the makers chosen for this four-month residency in the wonderful space situated at the front entrance to the galleries and new Useful Art Space.
Music, dance, Radio 4 – and plenty of tea!
“Everyone has been so kind and helpful as I have set up this week in the Maker Space. I have concentrated on settling in and next week my focus will be on getting comfortable and making the space feel like my studio, so I’ll probably introduce some motivating music and dance around a bit or listen to Radio 4 whilst drinking lots of tea.
‘I want to show that patterns can be inspired by any number of things”
“Over the next few months, I hope to focus on a body of work inspired by the National Trust Property of Erddig. I was lucky enough to have access, during my MA, to the wonderful and varied collection of fragments and wallpaper samples held in the collections there.
“I want to show that patterns can be inspired by any number of things, in this case my inspiration is a place in history that I am very fond of, but ideas can come from anywhere, from your favourite view from a window to the pattern on your mother’s dress from when you were little.
This residency will give me the chance to share my love of pattern and hopefully give people ideas of how they can incorporate familiar patterns or objects or colours into motifs, for example for wallpaper patterns.
“Handmade, this does not have to be an expensive process, I use stencils, but simple strips of cardboard can be used to create a stripe, using household paint and a cheap sponge roller and tray. All the handmade designs produced during this residency I intend to develop digitally and complete a new collection of surface pattern designs which will be available for licencing and viewable on my website: LornaBatesPattern.com, along with the three collections I have already completed this year: Back to the Drawing Board, Morrisalia and Maisie.
‘A wonderful opportunity to launch my business’
“I am hoping that this residency will provide a wonderful opportunity to launch my business and network with local interior designers and people carrying out restoration projects, where they might want to collaborate to bring about new designs based on snippets of paper, found under the layers of time worn wallpapers in the back of cupboards or under the stairs of their project property.
“I am also available to commission by individuals who like the idea of personalised one-off designs that have a purpose ie using patterns, colours, subjects, heirlooms or keepsakes that really mean something to the commissioning client.
“Through regular consultation I collaborate with clients to originate a design which is not only unique but also a legacy to treasure.”
Want to find out more about Lorna’s project?
“If you are interested in finding out more, please check out my website or just pop in to see to me at The Maker Space, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham. I will be working there most weekdays (and weekends by request), from now until the end of November. I’d be delighted to discuss any ideas you have for suitable projects and show you around the studio. If you can’t make it along to Tŷ Pawb you can contact me by email on: LornaBatesArtist@gmail.com.
We’ll be sharing more photos and news from Lorna’s project on all our social media channels over the next few months:
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