For our second Maker in Residence showcase at Material Source Studio Scotland - we're doing things a little differently.

Overwhelmed, inspired by, and, quite frankly, spoilt for choice by the breadth of creative practitioners here, we haven't selected just one singular maker for showcase as we previously have. Instead, Makers in Residence: Scotland seeks to champion a wide-spread selection of design, art and craft talent from across the country.

Spanning both heritage and contemporary craft categories; such as jewellery design, wood, ceramics, glass and biomaterials, this curated line-up provides a glimpse into Scotland’s thriving creative community.

As part of our vibrant installation are works by Ruth Mae Martin, Half Year Studio, Mirrl, Lucy Pearl Petts, Charles Young, Gavin Burnett, Jihyun Kim, Iona Turner, Sandra Junele, Allan Watson, Vicky Higginson, ALTRO and Richard Goldsworthy. You can find out more about each of the exhibitors below, and pop into Material Source Studio Glasgow to see the exhibition for yourself.

Ruth Mae Martin

Forming part of the Glasgow Ceramic Studio, Ruth Mae Martin is a Scottish ceramic artist specialising in slip-casting and press-moulding. Producing both playful and seamlessly crafted vessels, Ruth focuses on colour, the concept of memories and curating domestic spaces. Her body of work entitled, ‘Lead the Way’ is an expression of these core themes.

Having recently completed a Masters in Ceramics and Glass from the Royal College of Art, Ruth also draws on her education in Illustration at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art as well as Design in Dundee – where she focused on print design - to inform her graphic print style approach to making three dimensional objects.

For Makers in Residence: Scotland, Ruth showcases two vessels from the Lead the Way collection; the electric blue vessel crafted in porcelain, and a bone white in Earthenware.

Discover more about Ruth’s practice here.

Jihyun Kim

Jihyun Kim is a South Korean ceramic designer producing exquisitely crafted pieces taking inspiration from the mystical properties of the natural world.

Marrying bright colours with organic, free-flowing forms, Jihyun’s work gives the illusion of digital derived artefacts. Sitting at the intersection between sculptural and functional design, her practice is a testament to her deeply rooted South Korean heritage, as well as her fascination with nature.

After completing her Masters degree in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art, Jihyun re-located to Glasgow to undertake Glasgow Ceramic Studio’s Graduate Internship Programme, to which budding ceramic designers flock to hone their craft. Whilst undertaking the internship, Jihyun worked to extend her practice, as well as learning studio management amongst Glasgow’s talented community of ceramic artists, including fellow exhibitor, Ruth Mae Martin.

Salty Fairy Vase was developed during her internship at Glasgow Ceramic Studio, comprising a product and artistic exploration in the city.

Click here, to discover more about Jihyun’s practice.

Lucy Pearl Petts

Lucy Pearl Petts is a multi-award-winning jeweller and object designer based in Glasgow. Graduating from the Glasgow School of Art, and the recipient of the Klimt02 New Talents Award in 2022, Lucy fuses 3D printing with traditional jewellery techniques to create maximalist inspired objects of adornment for the body and the home.

Using a brightly coloured palette, bulbous forms and bold ornamentation, Lucy’s practice acts as a contrast to the chaos currently swirling in society. Tackling subject matter such as climate change and world conflicts, she begins her creative process through collaging and distorting newspaper articles on current affairs, which later inform the geometries of her 3D prints. Lucy envisions her objects to be tokens of luck and comfort, as well as vehicles to initiate conversations of positive reform.

As part of our Makers in Residence: Scotland showcase, vessels from the Blobject collection are shown at Material Source Studio Glasgow.

To learn more about Lucy’s practice, click here.

Half Year Studio

Spanning print, interiors, furniture, and software design; Half Year Studio is the creative practice of designer, David Ross and software engineer and illustrator, Rosie Ferrier.

Marrying the two designers' interests in environmentally responsible materials and both digital and craft fabrication techniques, Half Year Studio creates thoughtful objects for interiors, intertwining the use of software with traditional craft.

Half Year Studio is a Glasgow-based design studio, with both David and Rosie maintaining a strong connection to Glasgow School of Art (GSoA). Originally graduating from the GSoA in Product Design, David later returned to teach on the Interior Design course, passing on his expertise in responsible materials and fabrication processes to each year’s cohorts.

Graduating in visual communication, Rosie also studied at the GSoA. Passionate about creating user-friendly code and simplifying computer processes, Rosie applies her interests in algorithmic computer art to transform pieces of data into visual works of art.

Paying homage to the architectural and design heritage of Glasgow, the Glasgow Heritage Print is on display as part of Makers in Residence: Scotland. The print is influenced by the architectural features of an Alexander “Greek” Thomson tenement in Govanhill, Glasgow – a famed Scottish architect and architectural theorist, as well as pioneer in sustainable building practices.

Click here to learn more about Half Year Studio.

Mirrl

The design studio, Mirrl manufactures mesmerising solid surface materials in the city of Glasgow. Durable and artisan inspired, each one-of-a-kind sheet is available in a kaleidoscope of custom colourways.

Its co-founders, Simon Harlow and Lewis Harley draw on ancestry old surface decoration techniques derived from Japan in order to develop Mirrl’s hypnotic and vibrant surface qualities. By applying numerous patterned layers of tinted resin in varying tones onto plywood, the duo has collaboratively created a resilient, hygienic, repairable and most of all, striking surface material for both commercial and residential use.

In collaboration with Half Year Studio, Mirrl presents ‘Capitals’ – an interior pendant which diffuses light from an architecturally inspired structure of timber slats, clad in Mirrl’s dynamic surface material.

Led by designer and fellow exhibitor, David Ross of Half Year Studio, the Capitals Pendent unites the classical design style of Alexander “Greek” Thomas with Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s interpretation of Japanese structures - with Mirrl also taking influence from Japanese artisanry.

Capitals is a three-dimensional interpretation of Half Year Studio’s Glasgow Heritage Print, which is also on display as part of Makers in Residence: Scotland. Embarking on a full circle design journey of interchanging geometries, the Capitals pendent takes reference from 3D architectural features, which are later translated to 2D surface pattern, and then re-interpreted into 3D expressions.

To discover more about Mirrl, click here.

ALTRO

ALTRO is the Glasgow-based design practice of two Argentinian visual artists, Agustina Quiles and Leonardo Ciocchini. Firmly rooted in exploration of colour and shape, this design duo curates considered compositions than those that currently span the mediums of fabrics and print.

Its Guarda, Portico and Lote ranges take visual cues from the geometric, industrial shapes common in modern architecture, whilst also standing as a chromatic celebration of joyful colour groupings – the vibrant colour choices likely deep-seated in the designers' Argentinian heritage.

On display at Material Source Studio Glasgow is Guarda .02 – an exuberant graphic print that aims to enrich interior spaces.

Find out more about ALTRO here.

Charles Young

Featuring as part of our editorial Meet the Maker series last year, the brainchild of Paperholm, Charles Young has been on our radar with his carefully crafted paper cities for quite some time, his creations highly considered in both colour and construction.

Having studied Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art, he has worked as an artist in Edinburgh since 2014. With Charle's practice grounded in architectural model making techniques, he extracts forms from the built environment, focusing on the relationship between invented new structures and the built history of the existing city.

Originally beginning with paper, Charles has expanded his material palette to wood, fabric, ceramics, and even stop motion in order to introduce movement into some of the works. More recently, he began to explore creating larger surfaces and structures in his work through the use of furniture making techniques.

In 2023, he spent three months in Germany as part of the Goethe-Institut NORDIC Leipzig residency, developing new sculptural work based on ideas around architectural holdouts and Leipzig specific examples of built structures that have lost their original context.

Promoting a whimsical, Wes Anderson-inspired palette, Charles presents a series of his paper sculptures as part of the Paperholm project for Makers in Residence: Scotland.

Explore more of Charle’s colourful, hand-crafted model making practice here.

Vicky Higginson

Primarily a glass artist, Vicky Higginson uses hand-blown and cold-worked glass, combined with vernacular materials to probe concepts within culture, ritual and personal narratives.

Vicky started working with glass during her BA in 3D Design at Manchester Metropolitan University, and then went on to complete an MA in Glass at the University of Sunderland. She has since made Edinburgh her home, working as a freelance artist, developing her practice through residencies at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), as well as teaching at the ECA.

Vicky was recently the Christine and Stephen Procter Fellow at the Australian National University in Canberra, and will be presenting cold-working techniques at the Glass Art Society Conference in Berlin.

Vicky showcases with an object from The Artefacts series, ‘Spiral’, made from hand-blown and carved glass, each said to depict seductive but damaging thoughts, behaviours and emotions. Vicky’s crafted objects are reflections on and manifestations of loss, grief and mental and physical health issues. Blown and hot-sculpted components are manipulated through cold-working and assembled into their final compositions which are suggestive of functional objects or devices.

Vicky’s work is saturated in metaphorical meaning; tactile surfaces, rich colour and sensuous forms represent ideas and behaviours that are easy and attractive to accept and believe, but which are ultimately harmful.

Click here to discover more about Vicky's glass works.

Iona Turner

Transporting us to the Scottish shores of Moray, Iona Turner’s creative practice pays homage to the sea. Through immersion in local ecology and seascapes, Iona works with seaweed to make expressive, yet wearable pieces of art jewellery and sculpture - promoting a sense of belonging to the natural world.

Iona follows tidal patterns to gather washed-up seaweed. Once dried, the seaweed is worked with jeweller’s tools and detailed processes typically reserved for fine metalwork. Free from preservatives, treatments or glue - if desired - Iona’s pieces can be returned to the earth or sea.

A recent graduate of The Glasgow School of Art, Iona’s collection ‘The Seaweed Gatherer’ has been exhibited widely; notably at Collect Art Fair, Galerie Marzee, and The Scottish Gallery.

For Makers in Residence: Scotland at Material Source Studio, Iona displays ‘Februar’. Translating to the Scot’s word for February, this sculpture is created from the seaweed debris left on the beach by high-tide winter storms. During this month, Iona makes use of the abundance of seaweed cast ashore, whilst leaving behind plenty for grazing seabirds and local invertebrates.

Find out more about Iona’s seaweed sculptures here.

Gavin Burnett

Presenting a hand-crafted porcelain teapot at our Makers in Residence: Scotland showcase is Gavin Burnett, a Scottish maker working from his studio in Newburgh, Fife.

Gavin specialises in porcelain, mould-making and slip-casting to create a variety of functional vases, bowls, lighting and teaware that emphasise porcelain’s material hallmark: delicate translucency. Receiving his BA (Hons) from Edinburgh College of Art, he continues to teach in higher education and beyond, whilst maintaining a busy studio practice.

Using a traditional glass makers grinding technique ‘Battuto’ to elaborate and refine his vessels’ surfaces; the objects become highly textured and tactile, pleading for human touch. The areas where Gavin has partially carved some of the clay away subtly reveal a combination of coloured porcelain layers and and glaze from inside the exterior.

Gavin draws inspiration purely from his fascination with the material and the processes involved. His aim is to create pieces which emphasise and explore this.

Form is also an integral element of his practice. Naturally drawn to designing forms that support function, Gavin enjoys the relationship between the user and object, striving to create pieces which the handler continually appreciates and uses.

Discover more about Gavin's practice.

Sandra Junele

Dundee-based textile artist, Sandra Junele creates unique wall panel installations and 3D objects using shredded recycled textiles and a hand-made, plant-based glue. With sustainability and material circularity in mind, Sandra transforms discarded waste into unique works of art, which can later be broken down and submerged in water for re-use.

By using recycled materials, she aims to inspire others to think more creatively about reducing their impact on the environment.

Mainly focused on interior applications, Sandra’s body of work is known for its minimalist aesthetic, as well as its tactile qualities.

As part of our Makers showcase at Material Source Studio Glasgow, Sandra exhibits a series of her Mannequin Heads.

Click here to learn more about Sandra’s sustainable artworks.

Richard Goldsworthy

Sculptor Richard Goldsworthy centres his practice on transforming and merging different materials – notably wood and pewter. Continuously developing surface qualities and shapes through techniques such as carving, sanding and burning, Richard creates truly remarkable and intriguing objects that investigate the intrinsic properties of the matter used.

Sourcing green wood – wood that is recently cut with no opportunity to season and mature – and tracing its provenance remains paramount to Richard's artistic practice. Almost painterly in the marks he creates, Richard adds strident contrasts to expose, highlight and celebrate the natural features of the wood in his Berwickshire-based studio.

Whilst suffering a spinal injury, Richard became interested in the interlacing of materials, inspired by the X-rays of his spine supported by metal and screws. His work in wood and cast metal is an extension of this experience.

Exhibited at Material Source Studio Glasgow is Richard’s sculpture, Organic Transformation – a sculpture crafted from charred Norwegian spruce. In addition, an untitled recent work of art is on display, crafted from part-charred oak and pewter.

Discover more about Richard’s practice here.

Allan Watson

Situated in Aberdeen, Allan Watson is an artist working between two and three dimensions.

Drawn to ‘everyday’ considered materials, such as off-the-shelf timber, plywood, concrete, ready mixed plaster, and mounting board, Allan creates vibrant compositions that are accomplished in colour.

Previously teaching sculpture at Gray’s School of Art, Allan is now co-founder of Deemouth Artist Studios, which brings together a community of around forty artists, designers, and makers in the Aberdeen area and beyond.

As part of the Makers in Residence: Scotland showcase, Allan presents a series of three-dimensional maquettes. These gemstone-like geometries piece together harmonious pairings of pastel hues, coupled with pops of brighter, more buoyant shades.

To find out more, click here.

Makers in Residence: Scotland is now open at Material Source Studio Glasgow, 180 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2NR.