Moving country especially after you may have established yourself in one place is a difficult choice, but Tine De Ruysser and James Lethbridge are not afraid of challenges.
The London-based jewellery designer who developed interesting projects based on folding metallic materials, pioneering an electroforming technique and creating wearable origami pieces, and the glass artist who creates imaginative lighting and sculptures characterised by a combination of natural and futuristic forms, decided to move to Belgium and open a new studio in Borgerhout, a district in the city of Antwerp.
Given De Ruysser and Lethbridge' interests, you can bet that their new studio will become a multi-disciplinary design practice where the artists will develop their work and collections, while researching innovative materials and coming up with unique creations and bespoke designs for new clients.
Can each of you briefly introduce yourself and your work to our readers?
Tine De Ruysser: I studied Jewellery to PhD level. I'm Belgian, but lived in London for a total of 10 years, first to study at the Royal College of Art, and then to stay close to James. (We met at the RCA, through a common friend.) I taught jewellery and folding to a variety of students at different levels, including adult education and Academic BA and MA courses in jewellery design. My PhD work revolved around the development of a new material. I have since expanded the collection in which I use intricate folding patterns in combination with lamination techniques to create very flexible metal-textile and wood-textile decorative objects. I also make wearable collections of jewellery from folded banknotes, in which I question the perceived value of gold and money, and the role they take in society.
James Lethbridge: I initially studied ceramics at Leeds University in Yorkshire, however I soon turned to glass making in 2003, at the now closed International Glass Centre in Birmingham. In 2005 I started at the Royal College of Art, completing an MA in Glass and Ceramics in 2007, where during the final show I met Tine. My work is based around the visual study of organic/natural materials, which are translated into stunning works of transparent, surrealist glass, using traditional techniques of glassblowing and flame working, in an innovative way. The sources of inspiration could be twisting vines, pollen, viruses or air movement. As James Lethbridge Glass I make one-off bespoke chandeliers and sculptures for private clients and galleries, sell internationally and take part in trade shows and exhibitions at Design Miami, ICFF, British Glass Biennale and the Coburg Museum of Modern Glass.
Do you consider yourself more as artists or designers?
Tine De Ruysser: I consider myself as a combination of artist and designer. My banknote collection has a conceptual message, which in my opinion makes it art. The folding work I developed through my PhD has no concept behind it so far, so it is more like design. Still, the pieces are unique, and made by hand by myself.
James Lethbridge: I take a more design-led approach to my work, simply wishing to convey the inner beauty of the material and a fascination with the natural world. It is this interest in the natural world, which lends power to the making. Clients who commission my work are often struck by the sheer energy of work and by its complexity.
Why did you decide to move to Belgium and open your studio there?
Tine De Ruysser: We decided to move because I found work as a jewellery tutor at the MAD Faculty in Hasselt. I was also teaching in Lincoln (UK) and commuting to both from London for a year. Unfortunately, this left little time for me to develop my own work. In the end it made more sense to move closer to one job, and stop the other. The choice fell on Belgium because of my roots, a better chance for further research work, and the vibrant design community here.
James Lethbridge: While it is a challenge for me to do this in a foreign country, I'm moving my business and will work full-time on developing my glass chandeliers and finding new markets.
What kind of studio will you have there, will it be your private space or can clients come to you there and order pieces/buy things?
Tine De Ruysser and James Lethbridge:The studio will mainly be a private place for making new work. It will be possible for clients to book a visit and discuss new orders, and we will organise Open Studio days to allow a wider audience to visit. James is planning to organise short courses in lampworking too.
Belgium has a very vibrant art and design scene: what do you expect from this new venture?
Tine De Ruysser and James Lethbridge: There is a lot of energy in the design scene in Belgium, with a good work-life balance and a dynamic attitude. We believe this will free up creative energy for our businesses. We want to establish ourselves in the Belgian design scene and improve our profiles in Europe, so we will reconfirm and strengthen our existing connections in Belgium and beyond, and make new ones. Of course we will stay connected with London, which has a different set of opportunities, and with our friends and colleagues there!
Tine De Ruysser and James Lethbridge's studio is in Applestraat 27, 2140 Borgerhout, Belgium, and is open by appointment.
Image credits
All images courtesy Tine De Ruysser and James Lethbridge
1. The Midas Jar by James Lethbridge
2. Shouldercape by Tine De Ruysser
3. Serpentine Chandelier by James Lethbridge
4. Wave Bowls by Tine De Ruysser
5. Physalia Chandelier by James Lethbridge
6. World Necklace by Tine De Ruysser
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