Author: Liz Cooper London
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Crafting Hybrids at University of Waikato, 2025
Hybrid n. thing composed with incongruous elements. (From Concise Oxford Dictionary, sixth edition 1978.) Hybridisation is a strengthening process commonly seen in plant breeding to improve yields and hardiness. In contemporary making, hybrid objects can bring together unexpected combinations of materials and ideas, creating a pleasing but sometimes unsettling aesthetic. This exhibition examines objects and…
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Surface Matters 2019-2020
Every second year The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) invite Irish-based and Irish-born makers now abroad to apply for their online Portfolio. Selection is made by an international panel of experts, one of whom will also go on to curate a touring exhibition of the best of these, known as the Critical Selection.…
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The RDS Craft Bursary, 2019 and 2020
I’ve been part of the selection panels for the last two RDS Craft Bursaries, at the invitation of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. The 2019 winner, announced in February 2019 is glass artist Edmond Byrne, to support him in an exciting collaboration with silversmith Adi Toch. Their new body of work will be…
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Pattern & Sequence for Design-Nation at NCCD
Following the success of Colour & Form, Design-Nation’s selling showcase of glass artists at NCCD in late 2018, I was delighted to work with colleagues to create a follow-up for autumn 2019. I chose the theme of Pattern & Sequence as an aesthetically pleasing way to approach beautifully designed and well made craftwork, suitable for…
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Decorex for Design-Nation 2014-2019
Decorex is a super glossy high end interiors trade fair, full of amazing furniture, lighting, wallpaper, fabric, staircases, sound systems, flooring, billiard tables, tiles, baths… you name it – it’s pretty much all there. Design-Nation (my “day job”) has the honour of being one of Decorex’s supported organisations so for the last six years I’ve…
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London Craft Week 2019: The Future of Craft
In late 2018 I was in dialogue with Sophie Cain at Coin Street Community Builders who own and operate the Oxo Tower Wharf complex. Design-Nation had successfully shown in their Oxo Gallery in 2017 during London Craft Week and I’d hoped to bring a show back to that space for LCW19, but availability was proving…
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Colour & Form: a selling exhibition for Design-Nation at NCCD
This exhibition showcases some of the most innovative and inspiring glass artists from Design-Nation’s current portfolio and alumni, and was shown alongside National Museum Scotland’s Art of Glass touring show. Stuart Akroyd has created a special installation, and there are vessels and sculptural forms from: Amy Cushing, Bruce Marks, Catriona R MacKenzie, Clare L Wilson,…
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“Green Light” for Design-Nation, at London Design Festival 2018
Nine designers and makers from the Design-Nation portfolio presented a high quality showcase of beautiful, adventurous and original design at designjunction (20-23 September 2018) in the raw interiors of The Bargehouse by the Oxo Tower. The theme, set by me as Design-Nation’s project manager and curator, was light: luminaries and shadows, glossy and textured…
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Ctrl/Shift – new directions in textile art
The creative tension between accomplished skill, experimentation and the development of new ideas, provided the starting point for CTRL/Shift, the latest exhibition from The 62 Group of Textile Artists. I had long thought about initiating a project with this Group, having been involved in some of their earlier projects and knowing many individual members of…
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Make It OK Tour Conclusion at Rugby Art Gallery, autumn 2017
Image: Detail of The Leperous Hands, 2016, by Karina Thompson. Photo by Douglas Atfield. My touring exhibition on damage and repair, “What Do I Need to Do to Make It OK?”, concludes at Rugby Art Gallery, with five internationally renowned artists, eleven especially commissioned artworks and seven venues since the London launch in August 2015.…
Liz Cooper 