“I think it’s funny that something I’ve doodled in front of the telly becomes a talking point,” says artist Gordon W Robertson of his designs which he etches on to limited edition metal plates, coasters, table tops, buttons and a whole range of other interior and exterior applications. Coronation Street, Shameless and Benidorm are his programmes of choice to get his creative juices flowing.
The former jewellery designer and maker turned to etching on pewter, copper and brass because he wanted to make something bigger. “The jewellery was driving me a bit potty. I just wanted to have a go and make something big.” He tried out a large metal press in the artist’s studio below his and made a plate. “I got kind of excited about it and took it from there.”
Gordon might describe his designs as ‘doodles’ but they are intricate, mesmerising patterns some of which remain hand-drawn, others of which he digitally manipulates to create a more regular pattern. He works mainly in lead-free pewter, turning what has been a metal associated with industrial-looking, chunky and basic tankards and chargers into delicate-looking, pretty pieces with graceful, sweeping curves.
Gordon also works in copper and brass though he prefers to use pewter because “it is so versatile: you can get a beautiful softness with it.” His designs can be commissioned for other applications and he has taken them on to paper, blind embossing them, to create subtle, beautiful art. So you can put Gordon’s work on your table, have the table made from it, or hang it on your wall.
All his pieces are sold in limited editions of up to 12 and his designs can be commissioned for use on other applications, through the GAS Art Agency. Launched at Tent London 2011 last month, GAS is the brainchild of Gina Cross, who also runs the online gallery A Little Bit of Art, selling affordable, limited-edition printed artwork.
Her stable of artists, designers and printmakers create in a variety of media and in a huge range of styles, from the bold colour and abstract patterns of Jonas Ranson’s wallpaper, to the surrealism of Delphine Lebourgeois’s prints and the explosion of flowers, leaves, birds and animals of Cornelia O’Donovan’s designs for murals, wallpaper and wrapping paper. The playfulness of her work reminds me of the 17th century slipware of Thomas Toft.
Some limited-edition pieces are available to buy but the primary aim of GAS is to license the artists’ designs and facilitate commissions for bespoke interior pieces, wallpaper and textile designs, surface designs and decoration for homewares and furnishings, ceramics, murals and other projects.
