Champion of craft design - Bethan Gray spoke with us about new projects, new materials for the Shamsian and Dhow Collections and continuing her world travels.
As a source of inspiration, Bethan's family heritage, personal travels and research continually draws her back to Middle Eastern art and culture. Gray's trademark is her inventive ways of using luxurious materials and craft techniques. Collaboration is essential to the designer who, for several years, has been working with Iranian artist Mohamad Reza Shamsian on a modern version of the traditional Islamic marquetry practised at his workshop in Oman.
Lat least year, Bethan showcased new, reimagined and classic designs in an expertly curated installation for London Design Festival's Decor-ex featuring collaborative work with designer Emily Johnson while also teaming up with The Genlivet to create a handcrafted whiskey bar for the festival's DesignJunction.
"My family heritage and my world travels and research continually draw me back to Middle Eastern art and culture as a source of inspiration" Designer Bethan Gray
The Nizwa family of furniture is inspired by the rounded castellations of the Nizwa Fort in Oman and the ombré colour effect caused by the sunlight falling across them.The elegant pattern is meticulously constructed by hand using the ancient technique of marquetry, each door containing one hundred and eight individual elements of solid brass, copper or nickel and one hundred and eighteen maple veneer "petals".
"I love working with the Omani craftspeople - their techniques are incredible. Reinterpreting what they do for a contemporary and global audience offers a rare opportunity to champion skilled craftsmanship." Designer Bethan Gray
Nizwa Three-Door Cabinet Charcoal Bethan Gray
Nizwa Chest of Drawers in Jade Bethan Gray
The Dhow Collection
Dhow Three-Door Cabinet in White Bethan Gray
The Dhow family of furniture is inspired by the billowing sails of traditional Omani sailing boats – an important part of the nation's maritime history. The sweep of the Dhow pattern is meticulously crafted in Muscat by master craftspeople from over 60 linear metres of solid brass, copper or nickel and paired with precision hand-made bespoke hinges.
The London Design Festival sees designers and brands from around the world descend on the capital to showcase their new products, but it is also the place to catch up on homegrown talent, including the Welsh furniture designer Bethan Gray.
Female driven design – Bethan partnered with Emily Johnson, Co-Founder of pioneering ceramics brand, 1882 Ltd to create Lustre – a design driven 24 carat gold fine bone china tableware collection.
Nizwa Three-Door Cabinet in Monochrome Bethan Gray
The Glenlivet Bar
Bethan Gray Design created a hand-crafted bar for London Design Festival's designjunction in collaboration with The Glenlivet.
Bethan teamed up with The Glenlivet to create an experiential celebration of craft in the form of a bar serving a specially created menu of food and whisky cocktails for a series of events at the London Design Festival's designjunction
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