Escape to the Woods
January 19, 2009 | Levent OZLER
The Lighthouse, Scotland's National Architecture and Design Centre, continues its commitment to showcasing Scottish talent with the first solo show by rising designer, Donna Wilson. Escape to the Woods, a specially created installation of her recent work, will be on show in the 4th floor Gallery from 23 January - 1 March 2009.
Donna Wilson's "raining cats and dogs' was one of the most popular installations in The Scottish Show 07 at the Six Cities Design Festival. Since then she has become recognised as one of the major talents to emerge from Scotland in recent years, and was one of the featured designers in The Lighthouse's most recent international showcase of Scottish design at MUDAC, Lausanne (Autumn 2008). Earlier this year Wilson's family of knitted creatures, each of which has its own name and character, were the talk of London Fashion Week where they were featured as accessories in the Steve j and Yoni P collection. Meanwhile her line of furniture, created in collaboration with SCP, was launched to acclaim at the 2008 Milan Furniture Fair.
"The Lighthouse is a passionate advocate of Scottish architects and designers," says Executive Director, Nick Barley. "As part of our on-going promotion of their work we offer a shop window for new and existing talent both at home and abroad, providing a vital platform for showcasing Scottish creativity."
"Donna Wilson is one of a new generation of designers who have taken craft to a new level. Her hand-knitted creatures particularly fire the imagination, while her range of furniture for SCP demonstrates how knitting and innovative textiles can add an exuberant and refreshing approach to interior design."
As well as showcasing Donna Wilson's creativity, The Lighthouse will also provide an actual shop window for her designs, with a selection of her knitted creatures, interior design products and furniture available for purchase in the building and on-line.
"Offering a retail outlet for designers is also an important part of the support which The Lighthouse provides for Scottish talent," adds Barley. "Donna's designs have always proved popular. We are delighted to be able support the launch of her increased range of knitted creatures and provide a Scottish outlet for her SCP footstools, chairs and sofas."
Born in Banff, Aberdeenshire, 31-year old Wilson is a graduate of Gray's School of Art and the RCA. She set up her practice specialising in knitted products five years ago. The family of brightly coloured creatures that first made her reputation succeeded in appealing both to children as toys, and to adults as limited edition designs, and her work is now particularly sought after in Japan and South Korea with its large market for toys for grown-ups. At home her work has also been used in a number of installations including the backdrop she created for Thorsten van Elten's London shop. Perhaps the most significant development in her practice has been the creation of a new furniture range in collaboration with SCP, which was launched at the Milan Furniture Fair last year. New versions the Motley and Molly footstools, which see Wilson taking knitting into areas never seen before, and of her Hue sofa and armchairs will be unveiled in Escape to the Woods at The Lighthouse, which will also showcase her range of blankets created for ROAM.
Interviewed in a recent magazine feature Donna Wilson confessed to being a craft lover from a very young age. As an adult she has taken a very traditional craft, knitting, and made it into something fresh and exciting, whilst still retaining an essentially hand made feel, and in the process she has established a growing business.
Wilson is also passionately committed to supporting UK production. Her knitted fabrics are made in Galashiels and she has a team of eight outworkers based across the UK, from Bournemouth to Orkney, who make up the creatures, clouds and other designs. "People are thinking more and more about where the products they buy come from," says Wilson. "In these economically challenging times it is more important than ever that we support the incredibly talented UK-based companies and makers. Perhaps the time is right for a new Arts & Crafts movement."
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