Nicola Rawnsley West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
I am a multidisciplinary artist and designer with a background in Furniture Design who also teaches art and woodwork. I recently completed an MA in Creative Practice at Leeds Arts University, focusing on developing my artistic practice. While I keep my professional paths distinct, each informs and deepens the other.
Artist Bio: My work explores the fragile moments when nature interrupts the grittiness of life in a post-industrial, commercially driven environment. I am often struck by the quiet insistence of the natural world: a flower pushing through fractured pavement, the glow of a sunrise against concrete, a sudden shift of light that softens an otherwise harsh space. These moments function as reminders of an older rhythm, one that predates the accelerated pace of contemporary life. In my practice, I trace the tension between losing touch with natural roots and the subtle ways nature calls us back. I am interested in places defined by change and decay. Through material choices, form, and process, I aim to reveal how the natural world persists despite being obscured, and how its presence can reorient our perception of the environments we inhabit. Ultimately, my work seeks to honour these fleeting encounters, as essential reminders of connection and the quiet forces that still shape our lives.
Craft Bio: We are a family-based practice producing small-batch wooden objects, including plant pots, candle holders and vases, from our workshop in Yorkshire. Our work is grounded in sustainable design; all timber is sourced through upcycling, using offcuts from local manufacturers or material reclaimed from damaged furniture. By repurposing wood that would otherwise be discarded, we extend its lifecycle and emphasise responsible making. The name “Nic or Jud” reflects the full involvement of my family in the creation of each piece, acknowledging the collaborative ethos at the core of our practice.
