Freya Richards

BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker


Our movement through the world is one of weave; in which a material body moves through the world as part of the environment it inhabits. Its intermittent impartation no more or less relevant than its fellow counterparts. As a designer maker, I feel, there is great value to be found in working intimately with a material; considering the finer details and delivering the required graft. Throughout one must adhere to the nature of the material at hand, remaining keenly aware of its sensibilities and allowing its restrictions to be accepted then embraced. An ebb and flow exists between maker and matter: a dance of creation wherein each agent plays their part, gently coaxing out hidden potential, rather than impressing will through force and contortion. My practice explores hybridity to create form. Copper is employed for its density and ability to hold its shape while leather offers a flexible but strong agent binding all together. Neither one is an effective form alone, but when united a tensile structure is created. In demonstration of this mechanisms promise for varied utilisation, I have created a collection of objects for different purposes, displaying various methods of construction. These forms range from the decorative observed to those with intended functionality. Throughout, I strive to find a delicate balance between two seemingly opposing materials: dense and supple coming together to create a harmonious, beautiful object.


Mae ein symud drwy’r byd yn un o wehyddu; lle bydd corff materol yn symud drwy’r byd yn rhan o’r amgylchedd mae’n trigo ynddo. A’i gyfraniad ysbeidiol yn ddim mwy na llai perthnasol na’i gyd-ymdeithwyr. A minnau’n ddylunydd-wneuthurwr, teimlaf fod gwerth mawr i’w gael drwy weithio’n agos gyda deunydd; gan ystyried y mân fanylion a rhoi’r gwaith llafur angenrheidiol i mewn. Er bydd rhaid glynu wrth natur y deunydd sydd wrth law, gan aros yn ymwybodol iawn o’i synwyrusrwydd a chaniatau i’w gyfyngiadau gael eu derbyn ac wedyn eu cofleidio. Mae llanw a thrai yn bodolirhwng gwneuthurwr a mater: dawns y greadigaeth lle bydd pob un â’i rhan, yn hudo allan yn dyner y potensial cudd yn hytrach na’i orfodi a’i ymgordeddu. Mae fy ymarfer yn archwilio natur hybrid i greu ffurf. Defnyddir copr am ei ddwysedd a’i allu i gadw ei siâp ac mae lledr yn hyblyg ond yn gryf sy’n clymu popeth wrth ei gilydd. Nid oes un yn ffurf effeithiol ar ei phen ei hun ond, wedi’u cyfuno, caiff darn tynnol ei greu. I ddangos addewid y mecanweithiau hyn ar gyfer gwahanol ddefnyddiau amrywiol, rwyf wedi creu casgliad o wrthrychau at ddibenion gwahanol sydd wedi’u llunio drwy wahanol ddulliau. Drwy hyn i gyd rwy’n ceisio cael hyd i gydbwysedd ysgafn rhwng dau ddefnydd sydd i bob pwrpas yn groes i’w gilydd: y dwys a’r hyblyg yn dod at ei gilydd i greu gwrthrych hardd cytun.

Other Exhibitors:

Emma Don

Emma Don

Everything I Can See is an autoethnographic project exploring sight through stop motion animation. Since receiving a sight threatening diagnosis in 2012, I have become even more aware of the precious sense informing my artwork. A remission period, after 10 years of...

Bethan Lowri Hughes Jones

Bethan Lowri Hughes Jones

Gwyllt y Ddaear This collection is a combination of commercial and hand-sourced materials; combined to improve the sustainability of my collection. Made from commercial terracotta, which I reclaimed, the main glaze ingredient was wild clay from Traeth Aberlleiniog,...

Brynn Alred

Brynn Alred

How can we create a coexistence with the climate we live in? As a maker and craftsman I seek to nurture an embodied connection with the environments we find ourselves in. Revealing connections between materials and land. Combining these with the people, plants and...

Zoe Worton

Zoe Worton

Currently working in clay and wood, I have created a body of work that demonstrates an eclectic range of processes including hand carving, wood turning, ceramics and advanced technologies. Wood has become my prime material in all its forms, having a functional basis...

Bethan Grace Mason

Bethan Grace Mason

Ocean Essence My admiration for the coastline and the replication of textural elements that are often overlooked is what formed my enthusiasm for this project. ‘Ocean Essence,’ embodies the surroundings of specific shorelines to present wall art through texture,...

Harri Hughes

Harri Hughes

Machine Making Machine Making explores the development of autonomous manufacturing devices, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 3D printing clay, and developing novel approaches to ceramic manufacture. Drawing inspiration from my interest in throwing, I...