Tom Sutton Designs Aero-Organic

RETURN TO SILVER

2011-02-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

After a departure of almost ten years, I have returned to my silversmithing routes and produced a new collection of cocktail bowls with forks and spoons. Hand formed in Fine silver these Aero-Organic bowls are accompanied by hand formed forks and spoons which sit on wooden platters made from reclaimed exotic woods which are inlayed with silver wire.

Cocktail bowls and servers on reclaimed Indian teak platters, inlayed with silver wire.

Working in partnership with acclaimed British Enameller Ruth Ball, I have formed 'Equilibrium Design' which focuses on highly crafted and design led Furniture and Silverware that is designed in collaboration with one another to create new identities for signature pieces originally designed independently. In addition to this we have worked together on new pieces which demonstrate a dynamic awareness of form and surface.
Equilibrium creates collectable pieces with a functional identity.

Silver Pod with Rosewood Stopper

Silver Pods with rosewood stoppers can be used as spice, herb or dressing shakers.

Celebration Platter- Enamelled spice bowl designed and crafted by Ruth Ball with silver serving spoon and reclaimed walnut platter inlayed with silver wire, designed and crafted by Tom Sutton.

Latest Equilibrium editions of the Plec21 and Series28 collections all of which are available to commission. Each piece of enamelled artwork is unique to each table\stool and specific designs can tailored to your individual taste on request.

Plec21 with reclaimed walnut top recessed to hold hand formed fine silver bowl. (optional)

Limited Equilibrium editions of Series28 tables and stools shown here in bright silver and black powder coated finishes with exclusive urban enamelled panels designed and crafted by Ruth Ball.

PULSE 2010 & NEW WORK

2010-07-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

A busy year on the calender with the premier of the online shop where you can purchase exclusive Cells and Series28 products direct, launch of new products 'Sassy28' and Plec21 and recent and forthcoming shows including 'Pulse' in London (June),'Maison et Objet' in Paris (3rd-7th September) and Liverpool Design Festival in November.

The Re-Design
van outside
Pulse

The success of exhibiting alongside Ilsa Parry and Michael Cloke at Pulse under the 5ml collective has led to the development of forming 5ml into a Promotion and Support Company for both emerging and established independent Designers. 5ml will exhibit and promote individual designers products through major Design Events both Nationally and Internationally. We will offer affordable exhibition solutions for individual designers. For further information, contact us at:
info@5-ml.com

Meet the new members of the family

Developed from the Series28 collection Sassy28 flaunts her sumptuous curves in an elegant yet
playful manner. Hand made to order Sassy28 is available with custom powder coated finishes and comes upholstered in sustainably sourced quality leather.

Plec21 is a new creation which offers itself as a compact display table or stool, I guess you could call it a toolble... Small in stature this little fellow has a strong presence and is extremely robust. As with his Series28 relatives, your sense and awareness of balance is tested by the angle of the legs and Plec21 only has three, but you will find that he is increadibly stable and ideal addition to any interior environment small or large. Handmade and available in a variety of powder coated finishes. I hand form and polish the top from 'Dapple' recycled plastic supplied by those clever people from Smile.

THE ECO SHOW

2009-10-17T04:35:00.001-07:00

I

I exhibited my latest collection of Aero-organic designs at the Eco Show as part of The Liverpool Design Festival.

For more information visit http://www.liverpooldesignfestival.com/

The Show ran over three days and showcased some of the best in British talent working towards sustainable and eco-friendly design. Here is just a small selection of some of the work on show.

If you missed it you missed out... so make sure you visit it next year.

Catherine Rose Quinn & Fiona McAlear
www.catherinerosequinn.com
fionamclr@hotmail.com

TRIPTIQUE
www.nookandwillow.com
www.jamspreadit.com

Marion Roberts mmroberts@talktalk.net

Bags2Riches www.bags2riches.co.uk

Edward Wiles Design www.edwardwiles.com

Jason Taylor www.tincancan.com

Ilsa Parry & Michael Cloke www.rethinkthings.co.uk
www.michaelcloke.co.uk

Dodo Textiles www.dodotextiles.com

Sarah Thirlwell www.sarahthirlwell.com

Laura's Loom www.laurasloom.co.uk

Interference Design www.interferencedesign.co.uk

Nawal Gebreel www.gebreel.com

Tread LTD www.re-tread.com

Susan Comer Unique Wearable Art www.susancomer.co.uk

Handford Design www.handforddesign.co.uk

BA Hons Textiles and Surface Design THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON www.bolton.ac.uk/AME

SUMMER BREAK

2008-07-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

The maiden voyage of this new premier design show proved to
have the makings of a terrific annual event. Besides some initial
teething problems the exhibition showcased an extremely high
standard and variety of design talent. Hopefully future shows will
build on this strong foundation and bring greater trade and public interest.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to all my fellow exhibitors and visitors whom offered such a positive response at Design Show Liverpool 08. I would especially like to thank my neighbouring exhibitors Anthony Wong Sarah Thirlwell, Katie Adams, Ruth Ball, Stella Corrall and Rebecca Gouldson all of whom helped keep spirits high during the quiet periods.

The blog will go a little quiet for a few weeks now as we have our hands full with the arrival of our second child Jamie Sutton who was born on the 28\07\08.

Please keep checking in after the summer for any updates and future events.

Cheers,

Tom

BACKGROUND

2008-06-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

Tom Sutton designs and produces limited ranges and one-off items of bespoke furniture and interior accessories with an aero-organic identity.

Additionally, an emphasis on sustainability and a retro style influence are important features to his methodology.

Based in the North West of England, Tom has specialised within the world of design for the past fourteen years, working as both Designer Maker and Lecturer in Further and Higher Education. Trained as a metal smith and Furniture designer at UCLAN (University of Central LLancashire) his early work utilised fine metal skills creating one-off pieces of tableware and silverware. In contrast, early furniture pieces evolved around the use of domestic and commercial materials. This gave rise to such designs as "Squeaky Clean" a revolving chair which featured the use of a disused washing machine drum and bearings combined with shop fitting display components.

The first generation of "Ultra Glow" lamps also incorporate the same components alongside the signature washing machine door used as a light diffuser.

Initially inspired by the work of "Andy Goldsworthy" Tom used skill and experience, working predominantly with metal, to create organic based pieces with an industrial feel. This reversal of identities led to the use of broader range of material combinations employing them out of the context of their original purpose. The early work of contemporary designers such as "Ron Arad" and "Tom Dixon" which present industrial rawness, alongside the flamboyant and yet often organic inspired creations of "Philippe Stark" helped fuel the direction of development in Tom Sutton's creations.

Today, sweeping curves and fluid forms are fabricated from various materials, mostly, coloured cast concrete and powder coated steel sheet and tube. The elegance of natural form combined with the use of both industrially related and often reclaimed materials produces pieces that are suited to both the domestic and commercial environments.

Recent projects include a vintage inspired floor lamp for "POP" a retro Fashion and Accessories company.

Also released is a new range of seating and side tables called "SERIES 28" designed in collaboration with acclaimed Manchester based photographer Joel Chester Fildes.

Tom's designs were most recently profiled at
DESIGN SHOW LIVERPOOL 2008

POP RETRO Floor Lamp

2008-06-23T04:47:00.001-07:00

Floor lamp with authentic 60's fabric shade and reclaimed hardwood legs.

This design was commissioned by "POP" - Retro Fashion and Accessories company.

SERIES 28 Bar Stool

2008-06-23T04:30:00.001-07:00

SERIES 28 - Copyright Tom Sutton 2008

Series 28 bar stools are hand fabricated steel box section frames and have upholstered vinyl seats. Powder coated finish.

Series 28 is a brand new exclusive range of seating and side tables which where designed in collaboration with acclaimed Manchester based photographer Joel Chester Fildes. This collection premiered at Design Show Liverpool 2008.

SERIES 28 Ocasional Tables

2008-06-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

SERIES 28 - Copyright Tom Sutton 2008

These occasional side tables have a steel top box section frames and feature authentic 70's tiled or vinyl tops. Metal surfaces have a powder coated finish.

ULTRA GLOW Floor Lamp

2008-06-23T04:12:00.001-07:00

Floor Lamp with a cast concrete base, tubular steel armature and a sandblasted diffuser. Illuminated with low voltage truecolour halogen bulb.

SCOOP Armchair

2008-06-23T04:05:00.000-07:00

Bespoke hand formed steel armchair, powder coated finish.

DROPLET Shelves

2008-06-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

The DROPLET System is fashioned from handformed steel to create shelving with modular capablities. Available in pairs or in multiple quantities, you employ your own creative skills and display your collection of Droplets to arrange bespoke works of wall art or contemporary storage solutions. Combine Droplets with Cells to create more complex arrangements.

Powder coated finish - available in a range of colours upon request.

Magenta and ivory Droplets

SILVER AGE TOM

2008-06-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the work of ‘Andy Goldsworthy’ early work by Tom Sutton was heavily influenced by the natural world and the organic forms within it. Specialising as both a Metal smith and Furniture Designer gave Tom the opportunity to express his creative skills through both small and large scale pieces. Silverware pieces developed along two paths looking into the feminine and masculine forms within nature.

Lily bowl 1994

Predominantly thorn like shapes fuelled tableware pieces, a form that would carry through to larger furniture pieces. As the work progressed lily buds were introduced into the design development bringing a softer elegance to the work.

Bud teapot and milk jug 1999

Furniture pieces carried the same organic influence yet experimented with far less conventional materials. Tom moved away from working with fine metals and instead employed the use of recycled and industrial materials such as steel, concrete and salvaged components from domestic appliances. Applauding the early works of Ron Arad and Tom Dixon with it’s Post Holocaust identity, Tom embraced this inspiration and developed a range of sustainable furniture and lighting which amalgamated industrial and organic influences.

Squeaky Clean 1994

As within his silverware pieces, high quality finish was always a dominating element of his furniture work . Hand finishing coloured cast concrete and sand-blasting glass washing machine doors are just two examples of how Tom enhanced the appearance of the elements within his furniture. The use of recycled, sustainable and industrial materials within an alternative context to how they are commonly recognised and then presented to a high standard continues to fuel the ongoing development of Aero-Organic Design.

Cast bronze cutlery 1998

Colour Casting Concrete

Both generations of Ultra Glow lighting use a cast concrete base as support. Early lamps had a solid base, not only did this make them increadibly heavy but also meant that an external transformer had to be used for the light. The next generation used a hollow cast base eleaviating both problems. The concrete is cast into a two part plaster mold with a male component to allow for hollow casting. The mix is made dry to 2:1:1 ratio (2 sand, 1 cement, 1 chippings), I favor 4mm chippings used to pebble dash the masonary walls of buildings. The mix is separated whilst dry and different cement dyes are added. The separated mixes are then mixed with water and added to the mold in various amounts until the mold is full. The mold is left for approximately 12 hours and then parted to reveal the concrete cast. Whilst the cast is still green and curing I fine finish the shape with palm sanders and coarse gritted cloths, working up the grades. When finally cured the cast is finished with a silicone based water sealer ready to be drilled for the steel armatures.

Ultra Glow I 1994

CELL Shelving System

2008-06-22T03:40:00.000-07:00

Modular CELLS are available in sets of three. Fashioned from hand formed steel, this adaptable system provides a contemporary style solution to display. You get to to use your own creative skills choosing how to display your Cells to create a bespoke piece of wall art or contemporary storage solution.

Cells can also be combined with Droplets to create multiple storage solutions.Powder coated and available in a range of colours upon request.

Orange and green Cells

Red and Magenta Cells.