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.
Currently showing at Flow Gallery , 13th July - 23rd September.
EDUCATION
The Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, BA (hons) (1st class), 2014 - 2018
Kingston University, Art Foundation, Distinction, 2013 - 2014
EXHIBITIONS
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:
- Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2019, South London Gallery - 06 Dec 2019 - 23 Feb 2020
- Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2019, Leeds Art Gallery - 14 Sep, 2019 - 17 Nov, 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/