Fiona Gray
Designer/Maker
I am based at 36 Lime Street, a co-operative workshop in the Ouseburn Valley. I returned to college as a mature student after working in a variety of art and design based jobs, graduating from the ‘Combined Studies in Crafts’ course at Crewe and Alsager College in 1990 and have continued to develop my work ever since, selling throughout Britain as well as exporting to Germany, Saudi Arabia and Tokyo. Articles about my work have appeared in various magazines, newspapers and on television.
There are four main areas that I work in:-
Public / Private Commissions
Seating, gates, railings, sculpture, signage, trophies, clocks, furniture are some of the projects that I have worked on. I use a variety of materials - hardwoods, metal, Slate, stone and glass, often mixing two or more together. Clean lines and a minimalist style are my trademarks.
Clients include - Newcastle Council, Gateshead Council, Easington Council, Northern Rock Plc, Northern Rock Foundation, Equality North East, DFDS Ferries, Tyne & wear Passenger Transport Authority & Arts Council North East.
Workshops / Residencies
I have 16 years experience of running a wide range of workshops with children from pre school age up to adults, people with disabilities & prison inmates, young offenders. Past workshops / residencies include:-
Art Deco clocks
Mask making
Costume making
Model making
Sculpture
Seating
Recycling junk
Banner making
Silk painting
Mosaics
Decorated clay bricks
Lanterns
Sundials
Plaster casting
Tree dressing
Cards
Woodwork
They have been run in schools, museums, community centres and youth clubs.
Mixed Media Collages
I have been creating pieces of mixed media collages inspired by the coastline of Northumberland. They incorporate materials found on the beaches and have taken my work along a different route which I am exploring in greater depth.
Clocks / Mirrors / Cabinets / Boxes
I also make a range of contemporary boxes, mirrors, cabinets, clocks, again mixing materials.
Q&A's
Describe your creative practice in 20 single words.
Sculpture, railings, gates, seating, signage, clocks, sundials, workshops, costumes, masks, lanterns, public-art, minimal, teaching, banners, mosaics.
Describe your influences using 30 single words or short phrases.
Contemporary Architecture, combining materials, organic forms, mechanical, construction, collage, three-dimensional