Crafts Artist - Angharad McLaren

General background Experimental designs Shetland

Angharad McLaren received a Crafts Start Up Award from the Scottish Arts Council. In her own words she describes how her career has since developed.

General background

I first started exploring weave during my Textile Design degree at Glasgow School of Art. Early experiments on a handloom incorporated unusual materials- shredded plastic bags, knotted string and strips of felt. I had never used a loom before but was intrigued by the way I could manipulate materials with complex weave structures to create amazing textural effects.

For my degree show I took inspiration from my love of the sea to create colourful collections of textiles- one soft and textural, based on corals, anemones and underwater life; the other structural and geometric, based on hi-tech windsurf sails and water-sports equipment.

Experimental designs

My experimental designs featured silicone rubbers, paper yarns, neon colours and sailing ropes: a dynamic mix of texture, colour and pattern which won awards for innovation and was selected to exhibit at International textile design shows Indigo (Paris) and Interstoff Asia (Hong Kong).

This led to several work placements where I learnt more about the industry and realised there was potential for much more creative designs to be produced on industrial machinery. I went back to study at the Royal College of Art and developed my own technique for creating pleats on an industrial Jacquard loom.

Shetlands

Following my Masters, I moved to one of the most northern Scottish isles to be ‘weaver-in-residence’ at a new Centre for the Creative Industries in Shetland. This was the perfect place to be inspired whilst also holding craft workshops and teaching local school pupils. I exhibited new work at Tent in the London design festival last year and with craftscotland at the Homes and Interiors show in Glasgow.

I have now returned to Glasgow and with the support of the Scottish Arts Council Crafts Start Up Award have set up my own studio.

I create designs on a computerised handloom which are woven in small batches at local weaving mills and made into limited edition interior accessories and gift items.

I also work to commission, developing new designs for special projects. My love of the sea and passion for outdoor sports and activities continues to inspire my work and takes me on many exciting adventures.

Find out more by visiting Angharad Mclaren's website