Crafting Enterprise meets Made in the Middle

Orna and Aimee Bollu

"I like Aimee's work because of the colours she uses, pastels are my favourite. I also like how she uses smooth edges to contrast against the spiky edges of the metal." Orna
  • Aimee-Bollu.jpg Details of The Hoard, 2014. Mixed material. Photo credit: Yasmin Ensor.
  • Aimee-Bollu-1-courtesy-of-Yasmin-Ensor-1.jpg Brushstrokes, 2014. Mixed material. Photo credit: Yasmin Ensor.
  • optimized-aimee-bollu-1.jpg Composition of The Hoard Objects, 2014. Mixed material. Photo credit: Yasmin Ensor.
  • IMG_2198.JPG Orna's artwork inspired by the work of Aimee Bollu, 2017. Pastel on paper. Photo credit: Helen Tomkins
All Students

How do you price your work?

It is hard to place a price on certain objects that hold a lot of value to me, personally. Obviously a lot of the materials I use are found or salvaged, so therefore free. I mainly take into account my time, and the luxurious porcelain is quite expensive so these two factors are what makes the bulk of my pricing.

 

Who inspires you?

I’m inspired by a lot of the makers also included in this exhibition. Jennifer Collier was a mentor a couple of years back and really inspired me with what she can do to transform a material so throw-away as paper. I’m also a huge fan of Stuart Cairn’s pieces combining his love for found objects from the shoreline with his strong silversmithing skills. His aesthetic reminds me of my own and he always makes something new that surprises me.

Where do your ideas come from?

I love to read. Leonard Karen has written some exceptional books that I re-read if ever I feel unsure in my practice. As well as reading I look at objects constantly. I like to go to museums and look at old objects that I would have no idea what they are used for and think of whimsical new uses for them. The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford is really good for this. 

My studio is also based on an industrial estate, so sometimes just walking around there listening to music gives me great thoughts to process.

Website: http://www.aimeebollu.co.uk