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London based, Scots born artist Lee Borthwick creates custom-made and site specific natural artworks for residential, commercial and exterior spaces. Training first in textile design at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen and Turku Polytechnic Lee then completed an MA in constructed textiles at the Royal College of Art in 2008.
It is Lee’s distinctive approach of combining pieces of tree and mirror that led to the creation of her signature “Mirror Tapestries” and the establishing of her studio in 2009. Alongside meticulously fabricated artworks and outdoor installations the studio has become known for the Grain and Hairy boards, an evolving collection of tactile tableware. Ethically sourced materials and a view to encapsulating a sense of peace and serenity are the principles that underpin everything that the studio produces. The studio has recently collaborated with Blue Horse Design, Carden-Cunietti, Roselandres, The Cornell Art Museum and People-Express. Lee is represented by Appleton Art Design and Gallery Lulo in the USA and The One Church Street Gallery in the UK. |
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Lee describes her relationship with her materials...
Each piece of wood I collect has a narrative and a past, each piece of work therefor rendered unique. Through an array of sustainable and local sourcing techniques and, well, having developed a reputation as a bit of a log lady…. I have a wonderful selection of branches and logs in the workshop… Read on to learn about the origins of my materials.
Simon's Willow from the Avon
I was delighted to meet Simon at Made in Clerkenwell last year and have since journey to his beautiful family home on the River Avon from where I was able to select from a wealth of willow branches, logs and limbs. The timber is all thinned from the extensive garden and willow plantation left by the previous owner.
Pelham Primary School's Weeping Willow, South Wimbledon
Almost all given a new life now, the beautiful Willow wood was crafted into several artworks for the School. Further it has featured in a number of Tapestries and Wall installations. The tree was felled to allow the expansion of the school building in early 2014.
Silver Birch from Escher, Blackthorn from Sloop Lane, Scaynes Hill
The kindly gentleman at Logs for London supply me with branches from their thinning and felling projects as they continue to sustainably manage forests across the South London and the South East.
Other…
Driftwood comes from Cocklawburn beach and Findhorn bay amongst other places… I admire driftwood for its animosity and I enjoy using it to create a very fine mirror blankets.
Each piece of wood I collect has a narrative and a past, each piece of work therefor rendered unique. Through an array of sustainable and local sourcing techniques and, well, having developed a reputation as a bit of a log lady…. I have a wonderful selection of branches and logs in the workshop… Read on to learn about the origins of my materials.
Simon's Willow from the Avon
I was delighted to meet Simon at Made in Clerkenwell last year and have since journey to his beautiful family home on the River Avon from where I was able to select from a wealth of willow branches, logs and limbs. The timber is all thinned from the extensive garden and willow plantation left by the previous owner.
Pelham Primary School's Weeping Willow, South Wimbledon
Almost all given a new life now, the beautiful Willow wood was crafted into several artworks for the School. Further it has featured in a number of Tapestries and Wall installations. The tree was felled to allow the expansion of the school building in early 2014.
Silver Birch from Escher, Blackthorn from Sloop Lane, Scaynes Hill
The kindly gentleman at Logs for London supply me with branches from their thinning and felling projects as they continue to sustainably manage forests across the South London and the South East.
Other…
Driftwood comes from Cocklawburn beach and Findhorn bay amongst other places… I admire driftwood for its animosity and I enjoy using it to create a very fine mirror blankets.