Nora Fok Designer of Jewellery, Beasties and Knitted Nature
I was lucky enough to see a the first ever solo exhibition tour by the extraordinary jeweller, textile artist
and 3D designer Nora Fok presently on at The Ruthin Craft Centre between 2 April 2011 – 5 June 2011.
The artist has established herself as a pioneering maker, crafting her delicate, intricate forms from
nylon microfilament. Nora makes her work by hand using techniques she has taught herself:
knitting, knotting, tying, weaving, plaiting.
The list is deceptively simple; her chosen material of nylon monofilament is fine and hard to work but
her results are spectacular. These pieces are often very complicated and take many hours, days or weeks
to produce. These clever insects are constructed with natural elements, seed pods, twigs etc.
Born in Hong Kong, Nora had to leave school at 12 to work in a factory assembling toys and
computer components. Nora says the experience gave her the structure and discipline which still
underpins her work. “It also made me determined to leave the factory and have a career in
art and design”. She studied in Hong Kong and worked there as a graphic designer.
In 1978 she was accepted on the three-dimensional design course a Brighton Polytechnic,
which emphasised an experimental approach to materials.
In 1984 Nora married artist and lecturer, Frank Hills. After her first son was born, she decided to work
as a jeweller exclusively with nylon monofilament – it could be done from home using simple equipment
and techniques.
This was quite a challenge as Nora had to learn new processes and develop
creative ways of using the material. “My major break through came in 1997 when
Jackie Binns curated, ‘Galaxies’, my first solo exhibition at Hove Museum and Art Gallery
and Tim Wilcox reviewed my jewellery in Crafts magazine”. Since then her work has been
widely recognized internationally by inclusion in exhibitions, collections, and gallery shops.
In 2010 she was one of 29 makers to be awarded the Jerwood prize for contemporary makers.
Considering how much of Nora’s work is beautifully knitted and constructed using inticate
or delicate wires and fibres. It’s a pleasure to see such an impressive body of work and ideas.
There’s also an interesting interview with Nora on the ‘ Ideas in the Making ‘ site here.
Wow Nora’s work is beautiful. I love her dandelion seeds. X
Yep they caught my eye too
WOW – a very unique and gifted artist!
yes…incredibly talented and a lovely chance to see so much of her work altogether.
There was an excellent article in Crafts magazine a couple of months ago about her – she uses lots of computer modelling & 3-d printing for some of her work – I was fascinated by the possibilities of that..would have loved to see the exhibition.
HiHi.
I admire and love Nora’s work a lot and I would be interesting to get in contact with her as a college. Where can I find her e-mail address?! Kind regards Paula Lindblom jewellery artist from Sweden.
prylpaula@hotmail.com
Hi Paula, thanks for your comment. I’m sorry but I don’t have any personal details for Nora. You could try contacting the Ruthin Craft Centre thegallery@rccentre.org.uk and see if they could help you. All the best.
I seen this too in Ruthin craft centre, I used her work to inspire me, I can’t believe how big she has gotten now.
excellent 😍