Chaircreative’ founding designer/maker Alun Heslop was born in Kent 1971. He studied at Rochester (KIAD 1988-1990), gaining a B TEC National Diploma in Spatial (Interior) Design, and then went on to Brighton /1991-1994), graduating in Fine Art.
Alun rapidly developed an interest in the art & craft of chair making, primarily with the use of green wood working practice, and established himself as an artist/craftsman in 1997. During time abroad in Switzerland, Alun developed a further ongoing interest in seating ergonomics & refinement in chair design & performance. Returning from Switzerland in early 2006, Alun set up the ‘chaircreative’ workshop in the grounds of The Belmont Park Estate, Faversham, Kent, creating ever more unique & time invested sculptural chair works.
Alun has produced work for both public spaces and private clients, including seating installations for The Royal Horticultural Society, Royal Botanic Gardens & the North Downs Way national trail (KCC). Recent public works include the exterior & interior gallery seating for the Marks Barfield designed Lightbox Gallery, winner of the 2008 Art Fund Prize and Hedgehog Here & the Cricketer’s Bench for the Belmont Estate.
Notable recent private commissions include the 8.5 m sinuous curving Sleeping Dragon bench (Bedfordshire), Lobo Loi chair (London) and the 2.5m idrop! Sculptures (St. Albans & Maidstone).
| Awards | |
| 2008 | ‘Sleeping Dragon’ project shortlisted for the WoodAwards, 100% design, Earls Court, London |
| 2007 | Lightbox seating project shortlisted for the WoodAwards, 100% design, Earls Court, London |
Exhibitions/Events | |
| 2008 | Art in Action– Waterperry, Oxford. |
| 2008 | Bespoke, Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, House of Commons, London |
| 2008 | Design & Bespoke, Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, South Kensington, London |
| 2008 | Woodform II sculptural form & furniture, Belmont House, Kent |
| 2008 | Form, Olympia, London |
| 2008 | Design Spotter at IMM – Cologne |
2007 |
Origin, The London CraftShow, Somerset House, London |
| 2007 | Fine crafted wood, New Forest Show |
| 2007 | Art in Action – Waterperry, Oxford. |
| 2007 | Woodform – sculptural form & furniture, Belmont House, Kent |
| 2007 | Blickfang, furniture, fashion design, – Stuttgart |
2006 |
Origin, The London Craft Show, Somerset House, London |
| 2006 | Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design, Cheltenham |
| 2006 | Fine crafted wood, New Forest Show (‘people’s choice’ prize winner) |
2004 |
Once Upon a Time, Orell Füssli, Zurich |
| 2003 | Chairs and Landscapes, Last Gallery. Zurich |
| 2002 | With the Grain, The Metropole Galleries. Folkestone |
| 2001 | Wood works, White Cli.s, Kent |
| 2000 | Gateway to the Millennium, Ashford |
| 2000 | Creative Sense, Royal Botanic Gardens, W. Sussex |
Artist Statement
“Where trees grow, so does the spirit of the imagination. Where inspiration flows, light, life and energy radiate in abundance.
We move through space and time, dynamic and fluid. Occasionally we may rest or pause, and perhaps sit down for a while.
And there is the moment of contemplation. A moment to deliver a truly unique experience to sit and feel welcomed, comfortable, elevated and perhaps even astounded.”
Alun Heslop at chaircretive designs sculptural chairs and seating where structural integrity, comfort and superior function are unifed into a pure, sublime and streamlined aesthetic form with a total dedication to hand crafted excellence. Enveloping the spirit, warmth and tactile feel that only wood can give. Looking beyond the horizon, forward thinking & using the principles of good ergonomics to create a timeless elegance, encapsulated within innovative works of wonder.