Background
Art Foundation studies De Montfort University Lincoln
(BA hons) 3D Craft and Design Brighton University
Philip James Interiors Lincoln - Cabinet maker
Joseph Walsh studio Kinsale /Ireland - Master Craftsman
S F Furniture Gloucestershire/ UK - Head Cabinet Maker
2011 until Present - Kristian Pettifor Contemporary Furniture Designer Maker Gloucestershire/ UK
“Kristian Pettifor contemporary furniture designer maker was set up in 2011 with a desire to realise custom bespoke designs for private clients who require high quality objects with a fulfilling soul.”
About
What initial influences create enthusiasm and inspiration?
Watching my children grow I often consider how to nurture and support a passion.
As a child I was aware of having some truly creative and inspiring individuals in my life that provided encouragement and stimulus. They were different! While one art teacher would leap from table to table commanding three minute observation studies, the design and technology teacher would support time consuming projects and the most unusual of ideas. Later on a tutor from a 3D foundation course would instil the importance of proportion, perspective and a straight line!
Throughout early education the studio workshop was an exciting environment full of possibilities. Here we were empowered, felt like adults, trusted with the keys and spent many hours pursuing creativity. It was natural progression taking this further.
After leaving University, my enthusiasm was given a break and I spent the first eleven years of my career working in some of the leading studio workshops in the United Kingdom and Ireland setting the foundation for my future. Quality and exceptional craftsmanship were a common theme between all but the variety of projects and experience proved to be a very precious resource.
My work has mainly come from the relationships and reputation I have built to this day. The business is based in the Cotswold's in the south west of England, in a traditional workshop with a small number of well established independent designer makers.
Designing, making and the natural environment.
Every craftsperson / designer maker has a unique approach to realising an idea. Coming primarily from a design and material experimentation education, I first learnt how to process and investigate visual information before learning how to craft fine objects. To this day the order has remained the same. If an idea, form or texture is powerful enough to evoke a connection and excite the senses, I will embrace the challenge and enjoy a new exploration of process and experimentation to turn the idea into a reality.
The magnificence of our natural world has always been my escapism providing a rich source of creative inspiration, along with a passion for Art, design and architecture. I often gravitate to exploring objects that appear to defy gravity and I am fascinated with the way light can transform a surface and bring an object to life.
Respect for the natural environment is a key principle in creating a sustainable practice. All designs use sustainably sourced timbers and where possible native British timbers are the preferred choice.
Experimentation with surface finish plays a key role in the practise and over the last three years I have invested a great deal of energy resolving the longevity and durability of environmentally friendly finishes.
“As with forms found in our natural environment my work has come to display a purity of form that belies the extent of complex process involved. Within these forms are an ongoing exploration into surface quality, light, shadow and texture.”