Three Layer Cake

Combining Textiles and Garden Scultpure:  Art in the Garden.

An Interview with Vicky Thompson
 

Of all of the images and designs which made a lasting impression on me from my Salone del Mobile-related publications, Vicky Thompson’s garden structures in Casamica remained front and center. 

Vicky’s commissioned garden structures are striking because of the woven single elements which are repeated to form a harmonic whole.  The materials are rigid, but the designs are soft and undulating.  The patterns are formed using the same knitting techniques one would use for textiles.  Vicky is a textile designer, but she also loves the garden.  Through her sculptures, she has wed these  two loves.  The most literal interpretation of this marriage is her willow screen, her favorite creation, made of willow with intertwined wool.  “It changes as you do,” she said.  That’s what she likes about it.  The techniques that she applies to her Willow Spheres, Super Swirl (above), and Willow Screen are all rather amazing and ahead of the emerging trend in design toward knitted structures.  Most of her garden commissions indeed seem to have an element of change about them. 

But she isn’t really about change at all.  Perhaps wise beyond her years, Vicky was born in Surrey, schooled at Royal College of Art in London, and holds a Master’s in Design Products (focusing on garden sculpture) and a Bachelor's in Textile Design.  She is a somewhat anomalous under-30 in this era where visibility, celebrity, and wealth seem to be society’s most important objectives.  She doesn’t much like the commercial side of design, nor does she care for the rat race required to get into the industry.  She’d rather be free to focus on her artistic side.  “I have no great will to be famous,” she said (But already in 2002 she was named Young Designer of the Year by the Business Design Center in London and the Georgina van Etzdorf Prize awarded for innovation in textiles).  Over the short term, she’d like to stay where she is, which is teaching A-Level textile design part-time, freelance web design, and of course, her commissioned designs and knitted interiors.  For the long term, she’s left room for her own personal change and growth over time, just like her favorite Willow Screens.

Why the garden?  I have grown up living beside a Pick Your Own fruit and vegetable farm surrounded by the changing seasons and weather forecasts; I am happiest outdoors. 

Placing work outside means it is subject to constantly changing seasons, it is never quite ‘finished’ because it will weather and change over time, there is a beauty to that.  The willow spheres for example have gradually sunk during the year and have taken on a new character. 

Describe the development of your studies in textile design to the application of those techniques to exterior decoration?   The first textile technique I took outside was knitting, (the Knitted Willow Screens, left.)   I was experimenting with the knitted Inlay technique- weaving various materials in between rows of knitting.  This led to trying willow whips, which I realized would grow if I planted them in the garden.  There is often a preconception towards knitting as an ‘old stuffy technique’ and this overshadows the possibilities that the stretchy structure has to offer; a growing Knitted Screen captures peoples’ attention.

I continued with exterior products because I found designing textile samples for outdoors encouraged me to work on a larger scale.  I also appreciate the way that textures are subject to the season, varying depending upon frost, early morning dew or the heat of summer, for example.

Your design philosophy:  how you’d like someone to describe your work to the person who has most influenced you?  I would like to have my work described as experimental, textural and interesting! 

I’m not sure I can single out a single person as an influence but the following is a list of artist/ designers whose work I admire:  The Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf and British landscape designer Dan Pearson , for their method of gardening with the structure and form of plants, rather than just colour themes.  Sculptor Richard Deacon , architect Kathryn Findlay , artist Chris Drury and sculptor Gyöngy Laky. 

The textile company Nuno has also been a great influence.  They produce beautiful materials, combing ancient hand made techniques and new technology.  Their experimental approach, (for example, leaving metal plates to rust on a material base for weeks to produce a rust print) is fabulous.

What was the most transferable skill/lesson for the real world that design school taught?  How have you built upon that since finishing school?  At design school I realized that you learn as much from fellow pupils as your tutors.  That product design enjoys an exciting cross-disciplinary approach but you can’t be an expert at everything, therefore collaboration is the best way forward.  That you can’t please everyone and it is best to defend your own idea rather than waiver too much, if you are happy with the end result it is easier to convince others! 

What is the most frequently recurring obstacle you encounter in your profession?  Dedicating enough time to my own work!  I teach A-Levels textile design (I’m a textile designer at heart) three days a week.  It’s very rewarding, but preparing for classes takes up a lot of time.  I also do some web design as well.  Fitting time in for my design work and commissions isn’t easy!

Your B Bag is a biodegradable seeding container.  Concertina is in polypropylene.  How do you move between the two materials?  The B Bag (right) is designed as a mass volume product for using in a single season; when the plants have been harvested the entire product can be placed on the compost heap so there is no waste.  I purposely designed the Concertina (above) as a limited range sculpture that would last for perhaps ten years.  The Concertina’s polypropylene, therefore, can be recycled, but the cable ties can not.  The rest of my garden sculptures to date have been however biodegradable, and it is something I take very seriously.

What motivates you?  A desire to create and experiment.  Learning old textile techniques and working out contemporary applications for them.

What food or dessert best describes your work?  How has it changed since you finished school?  What would you like for it to be in five years?  Stir fry with seasonal vegetables and chicken, lots of variety, mix and match.  In five years…maybe a Stir-fry with haloumi cheese and freshly baked olive bread. 

The first thing you notice in a restaurant?  The people. 

Eating what food brings back the best memories and why?  Fresh raspberries in the field, memories of raspberry picking during school holidays to earn pocket money.  Langoustine, reminds me of a teaching week in ESAD Reims, France where plenty of socializing accompanied the ‘Crazy Week.’
 

The last piece of art you fell in love with?  Julius Popp, ‘Bit Fall.’ This is an electronic waterfall that uses a waterpump, magnetic valves and electronic circuits to create falling ‘water letters’.  It is linked to the internet so the falling letters spell out the latest news headlines - I guess it is commenting on the cycle of news.  It was part of an exhibition called FLUX, held under the railway arches in Bermondsy Street, London and looked beautiful!  The drops appeared to be precious crystals and produced an eerie sound when they hit the water at the base. 

Your favorite flea market find.  Where is it today?  A vintage card stencil from a flea market in Japan.  These intricate hand cut patterns are used to decorate handmade paper, but are beautiful pieces of art in themselves.  It's now on the wall in my bedroom. 

No home is complete without…Laughter and a Vicky Thompson garden structure!! 

Magazine (or source of information) you can’t live without?  Time Out London. 

You always pick up a magazine if <blank> is on the cover.  A trendy kitchen.  (I am in the process of buying my first flat.) 

What about people?  I’d say Heath Ledger (he’s pretty good looking!) and Drew Barrymore because she’s got that Charlie’s Angel ‘ go for it’ kind of attitude and look. 

You’re most proud of your collection of...
Sweets wrappers from Japan.  They’re tied down in a sketchbook.

You can never have too many…
Shoes… not very original but true! 

For more images on the work inspired by her Japan trip, and to see more of her sculptures and knitted interiors, visit her website .