Rob Anderson

Education

Sheffield Hallam University BA Jewellery & Metalwork

New Designer of the Year Award – Business Design Centre, London

NADFAS North East Area Bursary Winner – Millennium Gallery, Sheffield

"Heavy Hands is a body of work created in order to explore my own understanding of aesthetics and form.  I took inspiration from the textures of concrete found in Brutalist buildings and studied the movement’s attitudes toward form.  I combined this interest with the aesthetics of Japanese ceramics and their ‘quiet beauty’.

I learned to be completely present in the moments of making the object, which allowed me to carefully consider every aspect. Whether I was intentionally changing the form of a vessel with extra hammer blows, or whether I was deciding if I should leave a patch of oxide that naturally formed during the soldering process, every mark on the vessels are considered in depth.  Shapes, textures, colours and forms are all informed by the subtleties of the materials used.  This one of the main reasons why I wanted to use steel.  It is generally overlooked by most as a material that can be manipulated by hand into something unique and attractive.  I used an earthy palette to describe the forms and reinforce their humility.  The vessels are all sturdy enough to be dropped and also heavy enough to not be forgotten about in the hand.  Both of these factors are present to encourage people to pick up the vessel and actually hold onto them until they are finished with them.

Each cup has an individual identity, whilst still having visual references to the rest of its family."

Fresh Talent

14th January - 29th April 2017

In the Summer of 2016 we visited New Designers and discovered the fresh talent of Rob Anderson and April Black.  These two emerging makers come together in this showcase of fresh talent where the metalwork of Rob Anderson (New Designer of the year 2016) and turned wooden creations of April Black showcase the skills of true craftsmen and craftswomen.

April Black

Education

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design 2016

Won a Tea Green Graduate Award 

“I graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Summer 2016.  My graduate collection was inspired by the benefits that the outdoors can have on mental wellbeing.  This inspiration came from working with “Greenbuds”, a mental health group that focuses on spending time in greenspaces in and around Dundee.

I continue to take my inspiration from the outdoors and traditional craft and am currently in the process of setting up my own workshop and studio space just outside of Dundee where I hope to continue woodturning and develop my collection."