Suffolk in the City, 12th - 18th May

As our first showcase as part of London Craft Week approaches, we’d like to draw your attention to some of the incredible work that will be featured as part of Suffolk in the City. 

 

Mary Antsee-Parry – Mary’s sculptures are a fusion of the humor and balanced design found in medieval carvings, combined with the vibrant symbols of tribal sculptures from the West Coast of Africa. She aims to depict a sculptural world rich with patterns, symbols, and order. Occasionally, text is incorporated into her work. Mary has built a career in sculpture, taking on commissions in both sculptural and lettering forms. She has also taught traditional woodcarving and letter carving in wood. While she has primarily worked in wood, Mary has recently begun experimenting with copper. 

 

Nicci Dedman – Nicci Dedman creates unique sculptures using wire, predominantly repurposed and recycled steel wire. With a background in jewelry, Nicci has returned to her creative journey as a sculptor, working from her home on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. She has adapted her skills to create intricate three-dimensional pieces without the use of soldering or welding. Her work is often inspired by local flora and fauna, capturing elements of fragility and robustness in the complex, handcrafted pieces. Nicci's passion for wire has led her to explore new creative possibilities. 

 

James and Sylvie Fawcett – Sylvie and James specialize in crafting all members of the violin family, producing both modern instruments and period versions from the 17th and 18th centuries. Their work is focused on historically informed performance. Using hand tools almost exclusively, they employ traditional techniques and materials, creating and pigmenting their own varnish with natural oils and resins. Their instruments, inspired by classical models from Venice and Cremona, have a unique sound quality that has earned the loyalty of professional and amateur musicians worldwide. 

 

Cindy Gidney – Cindy creates woven vessels using soft, natural fibers and coiling techniques reminiscent of ancient basketry methods, while infusing a contemporary aesthetic. The shapes emerge intuitively as rigid forms, secured through slow, contemplative stitching. With a background in fashion, textiles, and interiors, Cindy comes from a long line of seamstresses dating back to her great-grandmother. Her early experiences with sewing and making have deeply influenced her creative practice. Cindy’s work is inspired by her connection to the natural world and a rekindled interest in the treasures she once collected from the beach or garden. 

 

Joy Holden – Joy specializes in the 'reverse method' of mosaic-making, which creates mosaics with unusually flat surfaces. She produces her original mosaic designs using finely cut glass and ceramic tesserae. Having honed the technique over 20 years, Joy’s multidisciplinary path began after she graduated with a degree in ceramic sculpture. Her journey has included screen printing, making patchwork clothes, Permaculture design, and community work, all of which have shaped her approach to mosaic art. 

 

Anne Schwegmann-Fielding – Anne creates sculptural mosaics using recycled materials, predominantly crockery. The inclusion of objects with history is a key element in her work, with materials such as buttons, glass, coins, and jewelry often incorporated. Anne meticulously cuts patterns and shapes from vintage and Victorian crockery using a simple tool. After graduating in Fine Art from Wolverhampton in 1991, she set up her studio in 1993, drawing inspiration from the discarded materials in her daily life. Her work celebrates the concept of “The ordinary made extraordinary,” and she continues to spread this recycling philosophy through her art. 

 

Learn more about Suffolk in the City and the artists joining us here >>