Clancy Mason gives you a taste of the products on offer at the launch of Project Object next week.
Blackpool Arts Service has commissioned Project Object artists and designers Tim Denton, Lois Blackburn and Bonker*s Clutterbucks to explore the wealth of historic collections Blackpool has to offer and use them as inspiration to create a range of contemporary and innovative items which are about to go on sale in the Grundy Art Gallery shop and at the Tourist Information Centre along Blackpool Promenade.
The aim of Project Object was to give people in Blackpool an opportunity to work alongside and learn from three professional artists who are experts in thier given field to either develop their own creative practice, or to introduce newcomers to have a go at being creative in a fun and welcoming environment.
Members of the community volunteered to be ‘Project Object Apprentices’ and participated in four weekly workshops with the artists. The Apprentices observed the artists as they developed their ideas for the products and early prototypes.
These workshops gave the Apprentices exclusive access to Blackpool’s heritage collections, with each artist interested in a different area of the town’s rich history.
Although Apprentices were not assisting the artist in the final design, the workshops were creative and hands on which allowed them to develop their own ideas following the artist’s methods.
Apprentices were given the opportunity to visit the shop at Yorkshire Sculpture Park where Jo Roger, Shop Buyer, provided an in-depth presentation on products, retail and design followed by a practical workshop. www.ysp.co.uk
Apprentices also attended a Creative Industries event held at the Grundy Art Gallery where Tim Denton, Lois Blackburn and Bonker*s Clutterbucks presented their design ideas to the Apprentices and wider creative community.
Tim Denton is a furniture and product designer who has produced designs for companies and clients such as Muji, Trico, Habitat, Heston Blumenthal, Manchester International Festival and most recently has worked on an exhibition entitled Sports Lab for the V&A Museum of Childhood to coincide with the London Olympics. www.timdenton.info
Lois Blackburn is a self-employed illustrator and artist with a broad experience and knowledge of working within the creative industries. Past clients have included MOJO magazine, The Times, The Spectator, The Big Issue, Leighton House Museum in Kensington, Manchester City Council and Ashford Borough Council. Lois has also exhibited at The Royal Academy, Edinburgh, Smiths Gallery, London, Castelfield Gallery, Manchester as well as the Chelsea Craft Fair. www.loisblackburn.co.uk
Bonker*s Clutterbucks Ltd. Husband and wife team Peter and Kate Caruana are the joint Artistic Directors of Bonker*s Clutterbucks Ltd. Peter has a fine art painting background and Kate studied woven textiles and fashion design. Previous companies Kate has worked for include John Lewis Partnership, Tigerprint Ltd, Designers Guild and Cresswell Lighting Ltd. Peter is a practicing artist and designer and has previously worked for The Boo, Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company. www.bonkersclutterbucks.com
Products:
Tim Denton spent four weeks at Lightworks, the home of Blackpool Illuminations researching the archives and developing his own ideas to make three beautiful lamps subtly inspired by the roadside sections of the1980’s illuminations.
Each lamp is made from a powder coated metal frame. Three individual lampshades can be purchased and used as a cluster of lampshades to be hung from the ceiling. They can also be used as individual light pendants or a free standing table lamp and are available in the following colours:
On With The Show Yellow £65
End Of The Pier Blue £65
Sideshow Green £65
Lois Blackburn has drawn from the Grundy Ar tGallery’s Cyril Critchlow Collection of 1950’s Blackpool Souvenirs to create a vibrant silk painting design which has been translated into textile home-wares.
Welcome to theSeasideTea Towel £6
Magic Invigorating Entrancing Apron £14
Lois’s designs are printed onto 100% cotton.
Bonker*s Clutterbucks Peter and Kate Caruana, aka Bonker* Clutterbucks, have delved into the Cyril Critchlow Collection at The Local and Family History Centre, which has inspired a choice of two DIY Card Modelling Kits and a limited edition range of Diorama’s, each one being unique.
BlackpoolTowerCard Modelling Kit £6
Gondola Tram Card Modelling Kit £6
Diorama’s are individually priced from £30-£80.
There is an exclusive product launch event on Tuesday 28th August, 5.30-6.30pm and the Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street, Blackpool. All attendees will be offered a 10% discount on all Project Object purchases during the evening as well as having an opportunity to chat to Tim Denton, Lois Blackburn and Bonker*s Clutterbucks about their final products.
Project Object is an Arts Engagement Project managed by Blackpool Arts Service and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Many thanks to Tony Sharkey and Anne Cameron from the Local and Family History Centre.
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