We caught up with New Designers One Year On Award Winner, Hannah Tounsend to see how her practise has progressed since exhibiting in One Year On and how New Designers has helped her on her creative journey. Hannah won her award in Part 1 of the show for her stunning ceramics. The Judges said of her work, “This is a very high quality collection combining a range of techniques, products and price points. There is a great sense of colour; overlapping and contrasting. Hannah has demonstrated very successful product development in new materials. Her execution is controlled but spontaneous, very focussed but open to feedback”.
Do you have any particular memories from the show you would like to share with us?
One of my favourite moments was when, after working frantically for months beforehand, I completed my display in the One Year On section of New Designers. I took a long step back and looked at my completed stand in the midst of this great exhibition. At that moment I could see how far my work had come in the last year.
What opportunities did exhibiting at New Designers give you?
Exhibiting at New Designers was a really valuable experience for me. It resulted in sales, contacts and lots of new opportunities. I got a lot just from being there, being part of an exciting, vibrant event full of ideas and information.
Why should you visit New Designers?
There are loads of reasons to visit – there’s something for everyone amongst the exhibitors. It’s full of new ideas, innovative techniques and friendly people who are delighted to explain their work.
How has winning the One Year On Award at New Designers 2016 affected your career so far?
Winning the One Year On award greatly raised my profile and placed my work before a much wider audience.
Receiving the prize for this award has been very exciting, it has given me the challenge of a solo exhibition in 2017 at the National Centre for Craft and Design. The membership of Design Nation and Design Trust Business Club will also be of great value at this stage of my career, introducing me to new markets, ideas, industry contacts and customers. The cash prize has allowed me to spend more time developing new ideas in the studio.
What advice would you give to those preparing to exhibit at New Designers 2017?
Seize the moment! A major event like New Designers 2017 offers tremendous opportunities so you have to make the most of them. It’s great fun to be part of such a prestigious show, exhibiting alongside a huge number of inspiring, creative people. Get there prepared to network and make as many new contacts as you can.
Do you have any particular references that you draw from when designing your work?
I’m inspired by the ever-changing colours, textures, light and shade of the shore; the images and effects of the advancing and receding interface where the sea meets the land. My work is also driven by technique and material as I strive to extend the parameters of what can be achieved by combining slipcast and thrown clay.
What are you up to now in your career? Do you have any exciting plans or projects you’d like to tell us about?
I’m particularly excited about a commission that will take me to a new part of the British coastline. I will spend time sketching and recording a particular beach as inspiration for some really special bespoke pieces for a client.
In October I’m offering an exhibition at the Snug gallery in Hebden Bridge. This will include a large collection of my latest vessels and prints.
I’m also working as part of the southern cohort of the Crafts Council’s ‘Hothouse’ scheme to stage a multidisciplinary exhibition at Craft Central in London. Opening in November 2016, ‘Collective’ will blend works by jewellers, textile designers, furniture makers and, of course, ceramicists in a single exhibition curated by the artists themselves.
Finally, I’m midway through a commission for the British Ceramic Biennial in 2017. For this I’m hoping to increase the scale of my ceramic and print pieces to create a large installation exhibit. I’m still at the planning stage, but the project is already demanding and exciting.