DESIGNS OF THE WORLD

Britain produces designers and crafts people of prodigious talent whose work is sought after all over the world. We have a wellearned reputation for innovation and quality in artisan design, whether in ceramics, crafting living wood and willow, or in

JANICE TCHALENKO STUDIO POTTER

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At the age of 70, Janice Tchalenko is one of Britain's most revered studio potters. Her list of achievements is impressive. Born in Rugby, Warwickshire, she was one of the founders and chief designers of the Dartington Pottery and has worked with Poole Pottery too – her brightly coloured work has also been exhibited worldwide.

A ceramic artist best known for her success in translating decorative studio pottery into pieces for large-scale production, Tchalenko has produced designs for Next and also created a range of ceramics for John Lewis. She feels that hand-crafted pottery does not get the artistic recognition it deserves these days. 'Back in the Sixties, potters were at the forefront of modern art,' she says.

In 1992, a major retrospective of her work was shown at the Ruskin Gallery, Sheffield, and in 1993 she collaborated with the Spitting Image workshop, to produce a series of ceramics on the theme of the Seven Deadly Sins – it was shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

For details of Janice Tchalenko's work, call 020-8516 3489, email janice@tchalenko.com, or visit caa.org.uk

MARK WINSTANLEY BOOKBINDER

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'I am inspired by William Morris and Eric Gill,' says Mark Winstanley, a gentleman bookbinder who has practised his esteemed craft for nearly 40 years. 'Good binding should jump out at you. It's all about the quality of the leather and gold tooling, the attention to detail, the hand-sewn headbands and good-quality card.'

Winstanley's company, Wyvern, based in Clerkenwell in East London, only takes on small, one-off commissions, but its work does encompass an enormous range. He has worked on everything from sixth-century Ethiopian manuscripts (for which he created special protective folders); leather-bound architects' proposals; presentation boxes for artists and traditional leather photo albums, to portfolios for stylists and books bound in sailcloth.

Wyvern also produces shelves of leather-bound books for film sets – including Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes and the Harry Potter films.

This year the company achieved a massive coup when it was asked to bind the Isles Of Wonder book for the opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympics. Wyvern will also re-bind old or damaged leather books.

The 10 binders in the Wyvern team can collaborate on any job, but many of them have specialist fields, too. Winstanley and his co-binders work among presses and plan chests, surrounded by racks of multi-coloured rolls of buckram and leather, shelves of tools and drawers of endpapers.

Wyvern Bindery, 56-58 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1: 020-7490 7899, www.wyvernbindery.com

SILAS RAYNER WILLOW WORKER

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This craftsman is an artist with wood. But it's not seasoned, polished wood that is used for furniture – it's with living trees. Silas Rayner originally trained in horticulture, then developed his specialist craft in response to the demands of clients near his home in Aldeburgh, Suffolk – they wanted more than just flowers in their gardens.

His organic designs sometimes verge on the surreal – he has shaped hedging to make a 3D sculpture of a lady in a bath and has also fashioned benches out of camomile.

For Harry Potter's publisher, Liz Calder, Silas made a grotto using recycled materials. Other structures include a pergola, incorporating four different types of willow, and a wavy, rolling privet hedge. 'I like making fencing a bit more interesting,' he says.

One of his clients wanted something organic to liven up a frame to support climbing plants. Rayner wove wonderful willow shapes around the metal poles, creating a sculpture that not only looks exciting, but also grows in its own right – with the willow sprouting alongside clematis and vine leaves.

For another client, he crafted willow fencing interwoven with jasmine and he also incorporated a 'tower'. 'I don't think I could work inside, although, this summer, on one job, I spent two weeks up a ladder getting drenched,' he says, stoically.

To contact Silas Rayner, call 07910-691483

 

 

London Design Festival

The work of Janice Tchalenko and Mark Winstanley can be seen at the London Design Festival in September. There's an enormous variety of design in every discipline and material, both traditional and innovative. Head to our The Best Of British Design page for a preview of some of the highlights.