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:

Claire Maloney

Claire Maloney

Antidote Yarns and Designs – Yarn is the Remedy! I spent 25 years working in the high stress Financial Services sector, where I used knitting and crocheting as a means to cope with that stress. In a bid to help others access the therapeutic powers of knit and crochet,...

Florence Strang

Florence Strang

I am an artist designer maker with an interest in jewellery, community, and sustainability. I aim to create a business in which I sell my jewellery alongside other likeminded creators, as well as offering workshops in which people can learn to make items that are...

Megan Hermione Evans

Megan Hermione Evans

Clay is my canvas. I create visual compositions in sheet clay by distorting and disrupting the material to create a textural surface in which the patterns, shapes and colours can emerge and be refined. Informed by sketches from everyday life, I take inspiration from...