For one week only students from the prestigious Art School will take up residence in the windows of the flagship Heal’s store on Tottenham Court Road to create original and limited edition artwork and installations.

Heals launched this project last year to celebrate their bicentenary and it was thoroughly well received. It has the potential to showcase the talents of the students and also to lead to future collaborations.  I think this is such a great idea and an incrediable opportunity for the students

One particular artist, Alex Springer who took part in the project when it launched last year, is this year creating 6 handmade working cameras from homeware products found around the store including a Brabantia bin which customers will be encouraged to use to either take a photograph of themselve or of a product from around the store (image below).

Joseph Griffiths (image below) is creating large scale 3D laser cut butterflies Joseph will produce an installation in the window covering the walls, ceilings, floor and window.

Sophie Blagden (image below) will be modifying ready made sculptures found in second hand stores Sophie will be working live within the window with her work exhibited on plinths as each piece is complete.

Student Cansu Aladag will be creating a large scale hand knitted structure using walking sticks as knitting needles, which will cast off in-store and progressively continue to suspend across the front of the store between the columns.  She will also be hosting small workshops to teach customers how to knit so that they can help her complete the unique installation.

There will also be a workshop by Poppy Whatmore who will be producing model fantasy furniture.

Heal’s hopes to create the same excitement as last year, encouraging customers to take part and be involved in the process of seeing an original piece of art being created.

I think it will be well worth a visit…!

A customer taking part last year

Work in progress: Artists in Residence 2010, Diana Taylor

The work below is from the very talented Rachel West.  Rachel is in her third year at Staffordshire University studying Surface pattern.

Rachel has shown us some work in progress along with some final pieces.  It’s so interesting to see the delvelopment stages which takes you from an initial ideas right through to the finished article.  My favourite is the blue & white design at the bottom, it’s so elegant, I can already see this as a cushion design.   For more information about Rachel’s work or to enquire about commissions then email:rachey796@hotmail.com Or you can visit her blog here

The ceramics below are  by Victoria, founder of Little Wren Pottery.  Here is what she says about her designs:  “I love creating rustic ceramics for the modern home and specialise in hand crafting decorative yet functional pieces for everyday use. Most of my pieces have a rustic feeling to them which I think reflects the process of making pottery.”

You can find out more about Victoria’s work at  Little Wren Pottery

Below is the work of Aidie Liggins, a Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design student at Leeds College of Art.  Aidie says that she is “passionate about colour and pattern and loves the idea of bringing an interior to life with a bit of imagination”.  I think her work is stunning.

Above is a picture of Aidie’s work in situ.  I think the fabric looks great on the chair.

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