Inspired by ... demonstrations
Nick Matousevitch demonstrates how he constructed his painting ‘Elephant’, based on the posters by M.C. Escher in the V&A Prints and Drawings Collection
Inspired by… is the V&A's annual art competition for people on part-time courses. Participants create a work of art or craft inspired by the collections of either V&A South Kensington, the Theatre Collections Online or the V&A Museum of Childhood. Entries are judged by a panel of curators and the winners and other selected works are displayed in the museum of their inspiration.
2008 demonstrations
On a sunny afternoon in May, eight past 'Inspired by' laureates set up shop in the V&A galleries and garden to demonstrate how they made their winning pieces. The demonstrations aimed to give visitors a real insight into the way in which creativity can encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to have confidence in themselves and their work. The laureates demonstrated skills that ranged from wood carving to embroidery to papier-maché.
Aiko Inami demonstrated the unique art of paper sculpture in the fashion gallery. Aiko was studying paper making at Morley College when her artwork Leaves of Harmony, inspired by a wedding dress from the V&A's collection, was chosen for the Inspired by… display. Just outside the Japan gallery Pauline Lines demonstrated sewing appliqué. Her work Urishi, created while she was studying patchwork and quilting at Waltham Forest Lifelong Learning Centre, was inspired by a Japanese Inro. In the grand surroundings of the Silver Gallery, Luba Whitfield illustrated the art of silver filigree. Mid-18th century lace from the V&A inspired her to create her piece Silver Lace while studying jewellery at West Thames College. In the V&A garden Nick Matousevitch showed how posters by M.C. Escher inspired him to create his painting Elephant, while Jannette Gay demonstrated the craft of papier-maché by the South Asian costumes that inspired her work Exotica.
Maurice Lessof explains how the sculpture ‘Sleep’, by Richard Cockle Lucas
Maurice Lessof explains how the sculpture ‘Sleep’, by Richard Cockle Lucas, inspired his carving ‘Mother and Child’
Uju Obi with her winning Inspired by… piece ‘And all will be well, and all will be well and all that matters will be well’
Uju Obi with her winning Inspired by… piece ‘And all will be well, and all will be well and all that matters will be well’
Nick Matousevitch and his painting ‘Elephant’
Nick Matousevitch and his painting ‘Elephant’
Visitors with Uju Obi
Visitors with Uju Obi
Diane Blake demonstrates how she created her piece ‘Wrapped Vase’ based on the ironwork bench by Albert Paley
Diane Blake demonstrates how she created her piece ‘Wrapped Vase’ based on the ironwork bench by Albert Paley
Detail of ironwork bench by Albert Paley, New York
Detail of ironwork bench by Albert Paley, New York, 1995
Maurice Lessof demonstrating the art of wood carving
Maurice Lessof, the oldest laureate, enraptured visitors in the sculpture gallery with his charming wood carvings. Wood carving was a skill Maurice learned late in life at the Mary Ward Centre. His 'Inspired by' piece was based on the relief sculpture Sleep by Richard Cockle Lucas (Museum No. 209-1865).
One of the younger Inspired by… winners, Uju Obi, demonstrated hand embroidery and beading in the Grand entrance. Uju was studying embroidered textiles at the City Lit when her work And all will be well, and all will be well, and all that matters will be well, inspired by the fashion plate Les Ailes dans le Vent, was selected for the Inspired by… display and won the Textiles and Fashion prize. Finally, Diane Blake explained the process of how she made her piece Wrapped Vase beside the ironwork bench by Albert Paley that inspired it.
2006 demonstrations
On Saturday 19 May 2006, eight of 2005's laureates returned to the V&A to show links between their designs and the Museum's collections. From silver filigree to wood carving, the designer-makers demonstrated their skills to over 600 visitors at various locations throughout the V&A.
Aiko Inami demonstrating paper sculpture in Room 40
Aiko Inami demonstrating paper sculpture in Room 40
Aiko was studying paper making at Morley College in 2006 when her artwork 'Leaves of Harmony', inspired by a wedding dress, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by…
Pauline Lines demonstrating sewing appliqué in Room 47f
Pauline Lines demonstrating sewing appliqué in Room 47f
Pauline was studying patchwork and quilting at Waltham Forest Lifelong Learning when her artwork 'Urishi', inspired by a Japanese Inro, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by…
Luba Whitfield demonstrating silver filigree in Room 66
Luba Whitfield demonstrating silver filigree in Room 66
Luba was studying jewellery at West Thames College when her artwork 'Silver Lace', inspired by silver lace from the mid-18th Century, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by…
Nick Matousevitch demonstrating drawing and painting in the garden
Nick Matousevitch demonstrating drawing and painting in the garden
Nick was studying sculpture when his artwork 'Elephant', inspired by posters by M.C. Esher, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by…
Jannette Gay demonstrating papier-maché in Room 47b
Jannette Gay demonstrating papier-maché in Room 47b
Jannette was studying papier-mâché at Richmond Adult and Community College when her artwork 'Exotica', inspired by an Indian costume, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by… and won the Adult Learner's prize.
Maurice Lessof demonstrating wood carving in Room 24
Maurice Lessof demonstrating wood carving in Room 24
Maurice was studying sculpture at Mary Ward Centre when his artwork 'Mother and Child', inspired by the sculpture 'Sleep' by Richard Cockle Lucas, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by…
Uju Obi demonstrating hand embroidery and beading in the Grand entrance
Uju Obi demonstrating hand embroidery and beading in the Grand entrance
Uju was studying embroidered textiles at City Lit when her artwork 'And all will be well, and all will be well, and all that matters will be well', inspired by the plate 'Les Ailes dans le Vent', was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by… and won the Textiles and Fashion prize.
Diane Baker demonstrating pottery in Room 114e
Diane Baker demonstrating pottery in Room 114e
Diane was studying pottery at Gloucester College of Arts and Technology when her artwork 'Wrapped Vase', inspired by a bench made by Albert Paley, was selected to go on display for the 2006 Inspired by…
Comments on the demonstrations by visitors:
'Inventive and beautiful!'
'We loved the paper made from asparagus and blueberries, the artist was very friendly and welcoming'
'A wonderful learning curve'
'Loved the fabric workshop'
'The demonstrator was clearly very enthusiastic about her work, it was very nice to see in the V&A'
'The idea of having learners demonstrating is fantastic and really clever. I hope it continues next year.'
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