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Disco Gourds

When Bethan Laura Wood was invited to make a collection for 1882 Ltd., Bethan drew on the ceramic history of trompe-l'œil decoration used for food vessels. Highly popularised in the 18th century – inspired by the increasing exchange of foods across the globe and the aspiration for 'enlightenment' through scientific exploration and cataloguing of nature – the trend for theatrical...
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Bethan Laura Wood

Bethan Laura Wood has run a multidisciplinary studio since 2009 characterised by materials investigation, artisan collaboration and a passion for colour and detail. Residencies and location-based projects have become an important factor in her design process, often working in response to her location, in collaboration with local manufacturers, or reflecting back into her work the visual and material culture particular to that area. Bethan is fascinated by the connections we make with the everyday objects that surround us and, as a collector herself, likes to explore what drives people to hold onto one particular object while discarding another. Bethan explores these relationships and questions how they might become cultural conduits. She is interested in critical approaches to achieving sustainability within mass consumption and the production-driven context of the design industry.

Bethan Laura Wood obtained a MA in Design Products at the Royal College of Art, under the tuition of Jurgen Bey and Martino Gamper. Since 2011 she has worked with the prestigious Nilufar Gallery to showcase her self-directed, limited edition and one-off works. Bethan has been commissioned by and produced named collaborations with a variety of international partners including: Perrier–Jouët, Rosenthal, Abet Laminati, Moroso, Valextra, Kvadrat, Bitossi Ceramiche, Design Miami, Tory Burch, CC-Tapis, Tolix Peter Pilotto, Hermes and Dior. Her work has been exhibited in institutions including: Victoria and Albert Museum; Swiss Institute New York; Daelim Museum, Seoul; Museum of Contemporary Art, MOT, Tokyo; ICA London and the Design Museum London. Bethan has works included in the permanent collections of Wellcome Collection, London (Epidemic Jukebox in partnership with Kin design); V&A, London (Toothpaste bag for Valextra); Dresden State Art Collections, Germany (Friends bed); Abet Laminate Museum, Italy (Playtime table); and Mudac, Switzerland (Totem No.5) and most recently The Art Institute of Chicago (Stain) and SFMOMA (Criss Cross Kite).

Throughout her career Bethan has sought to engage with the educational system by teaching and delivering
lectures and workshops at many well-known universities including: RCA, ECAL and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Bethan has been invited to run public workshops at Boisbuchet, V&A, Tate Britain, Vienna Design Week, IN Residence, Design Shanghai, and appeared as a guest speaker at many international fairs around the world from Tokyo to Toronto.