︎

Isobel Napier is a London based artist working in paper and wood. Her practice is influenced by the craftsmanship of textile traditions, and blends precise digital design with elements of chance and incident.

Using laser cutting and 3D milling processes Isobel blends traditional craft techniques with modern technology, reimagining the language of textiles through different mediums. By meticulously cutting lines to mimic warp threads, she recreates the intricate patterns, threads and textures of fabric, transforming solid forms into delicate, ephemeral creations. Evoking a sense of fragility and flow, she explores the balance between solidity and transience, tradition and innovation.

By placing process and materials at the forefront of her practice, she celebrates the inherent qualities and transformative possibilities of her chosen mediums. Contrasting the definitive control offered by digital modes of making, with natural materials and the heritage of traditional crafts.


Napier showed at The New Art Centre, in Common Thread; an exhibition that brought together a group of artists each of who’s work reflects on the place of textiles both in art, and in contemporary society.



On Textiles : 

Textiles are inherently modest; they are made for living and working with. Their beauty lies in their simplicity. A fraying edge, the natural wear and colouration of a piece of cloth that has been used, evoking histories.

In this way they are also mutable and non-permanent. They favour a more humble, organic beauty that is rooted in imperfection and change.



EDUCATION


The Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, BA (hons) (1st class), 2014 - 2018

Kingston University, Art Foundation, Distinction, 2013 - 2014



EXHIBITIONS


Atmospheres - Flow Gallery - 1-5 Needham Rd, Notting Hill - 13th July - 23rd September, 2024

Future Icons Selects, for London Craft Week - Oxo Tower Wharf’s Bargehouse Building - 11th - 14th May, 2023

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Woolwich Works - 3rd - 6th November 2022

The Ingram Prize - Unit 1 Gallery / Workshop - 19th - 26th Nov 2021

Public Notice - East London - 20 - 30 Aug 2020
Common Thread - The New Art Centre - 01 Jun – 28 Aug 2020

Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2019:
Rolling Collection - San Mei Gallery - Jul 2018 - present 

The WAC Awards, The Bishop’s Palace, Wells - 06 - 21 Oct, 2018


Paper, Scissors, Stone - an exhibition with The Auction Collective - Alon Zakaim Fine Art, 5-7 Dover Street, London, WIS 4LD - 06 - 08 Nov, 2018

CONTACT


isobelnapier@hotmail.co.uk



AWARDS


The Michael Farrell Memorial Prize - For excellence and innovation in photography and its relationship with form, image and process - Slade (UCL)



COLLABORATIONS


Aēsop - ‘In celebration of London Craft Week, we asked Isobel Napier to train her digitally controlled laser-cutter to analogue editions of our literary publication, The Fabulist’. 


Burberry - ‘Six creative talents were invited to execute the graphic pattern of the new Thomas Burberry monogram in their own style’.

https://uk.burberry.com/the-art-of-interpretation/




PRESS


Interview - Through ObjectsDesign Objects in connection with Nature, Art & Craft, Copenhagen 

https://through-objects.com/blog/qa-with-isobel-napier-about-laser-cut-paper-series/


Article - Yin Space
Disseminating global design

https://www.yinjispace.com/article/Isobel-Napier.html




DESIGN COLLABORATION  -  with James Trundle

https://jamestrundle-isobelnapier.com/




COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK

https://isobelnapier-photography.com/