Bridge For Design October 15

design news
CHRISTOPHER
HYDE have
supplied crystal glass
table lamps with brass
plinths and details finished in
either antique silver plate or
french gold (Barley Twist) to
The Lanesborough. Together
with hand cast brass traditional
wall lights, finished in black and
antique french gold pictured here. The
Barley Twist lamps are from the Berkeley
range and the Siren wall lights are from the
St. Petersburg range.
T: +44 (0)207 351 0863
www.christopherhyde.com
CONCEPT HANDTUFTING create the most
unique and desirable hand tufted and
handknotted carpets, tailoring each piece
to your size and scheme. They only use
the finest pure materials such as fine silks,
hand spun merino wools and bamboo,
combined with the highest levels of design
and craftmanship ensure pure luxury under
your feet. T:+44 (0)193 784 5080
www.concepthandtufting.co.uk
Photographs by Andrew Montgomery
People:
Justine Asprey
is a London based sculptor with a
background in animation. Her portrait
busts of leading contemporary artists and
private clients combine vibrant modernity
with classical traditions, which brilliantly
evoke the spirit of the sitter thanks to
Justine’s flair for creating a special rapport
with every client.
Every commission involves a process
of close and continual collaboration
between Justine and her subject. A unique
feature of Justine’s work is the incredible
range of materials that she uses.
Justine embraces the challenge of
combining innovative materials with
traditional sculptural techniques that
have changed remarkably little over the
centuries. For example, she’s currently
experimenting with a translucent, spaceage
substance called aerogel or ‘frozen
smoke’. This is to create the spectacular
‘smoke and water’ finish suggested by
the renowned installation artist Richard
Wilson RA, the latest subject in Justine’s
ongoing series of contemporary artists.
Another subject in the series, the
Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Leckey,
requested that his bust be finished in
iridescent purple paint ‘somewhere
between a fast car and a flash mobile
phone’.
The process of crafting each sculpture is
intensely physical. After taking numerous
photographs and measurements, Justine
creates a maquette. She constructs an
armature of aluminium wire filled with
paper, which is coated with three inches of
clay before being moulded and sculpted
to define the face and other details.
These skilful touches instantly convey
the subject’s vitality and complexity. The
result is not just an accurate physical
likeness; more importantly, it’s a piece
that captures the very essence of the sitter
thanks to Justine’s remarkable talent for
conveying attributes that go beyond the
physical.
Justine’s portrait busts are as individual
as her sitters. With a timeless serenity
that’s equally at home in contemporary
and traditional interiors.
www.justineasprey.com
28 Bridge for Design October 2015