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STUDIO MEMBERS
Current Studio Artists
ICA
NIEMZ
CHARLIE
MURPHY
CHARLIE
MURPHY
Previous Studio Artists
KATIE BLISS
IRENE VIDAL CAL
Margaret Beardsmore
We are saddened to say that Margaret passed away in May 2020. She was a peaceful and gentle spirit in our community and we remember her story here. Margaret Beardsmore has been a committed member of the Fish Factory’s studio from its beginning in 2011. Originally from Swansea in Wales, Margaret studied at the Swansea Art College as soon as she finished school. The rise in popularity of boutiques at the time meant that Margaret practiced dress-making and moved to London, where she ran her own business, designing dresses and pattern making. Margaret arrived in Cornwall twenty-five years ago, living in St Austell and moved to Falmouth in 2002. She devoted herself to her garden, growing many different vegetables, appreciating an authentic lifestyle based on nurture and care.
Thomas Newlands
We are saddened to say that Thomas passed away in May 2019. Tommy was very kind and deeply connected to his practice, experimenting with ancient techniques of pottery to create contemporary work; his tale of how he came to be a potter and an artist deeply resonated with us and is still recorded here.
Thomas Newlands worked in the studio from 2015 to 2019. Originally from the Scottish highlands, Thomas began practising ceramics by chance when he chose to attend a day course in pottery.
Thomas was a potter for twenty years and described ceramics as a learning process of “trial and error,” requiring patience and preparation. A resourceful artist, Thomas visited car boot sales, where he found objects such as fishing buoys, reusing them as moulds to create unique shapes.
Cornwall was the only place in Britain where ceramics was a degree, so he attended the Camborne Art College in 1998. In 2000, he continued at the Falmouth College of Art, gaining skills and developing his technique.
Inspired by Japanese ceramics, Thomas enjoyed Raku pottery, which he claimed is like “playing with fire". In his studio he explored the formula of ceramics as differences in temperature transform colour and appearance. He also experimented with a golden glaze, meaning his pieces are both practical and extraordinary. His work has been exhibited at the Polytechnic Society in Falmouth and has been very popular at the Penwith Gallery in St Ives.
One of his favourite exhibitions at the Fish Factory featured the Lord of the Logos, Christophe Szpajdel and Thomas appreciated how the Fish Factory welcomes all art into their space. In his studio he kept a kiln, which could reach up to temperatures of 3000 degrees, making him the resilient artisan of the Fish Factory. Thomas explained “every time you open up a kiln it’s like Christmas” as each pot emerges differently.
Thomas Newlands worked in the studio from 2015 to 2019. Originally from the Scottish highlands, Thomas began practising ceramics by chance when he chose to attend a day course in pottery.
Thomas was a potter for twenty years and described ceramics as a learning process of “trial and error,” requiring patience and preparation. A resourceful artist, Thomas visited car boot sales, where he found objects such as fishing buoys, reusing them as moulds to create unique shapes.
Cornwall was the only place in Britain where ceramics was a degree, so he attended the Camborne Art College in 1998. In 2000, he continued at the Falmouth College of Art, gaining skills and developing his technique.
Inspired by Japanese ceramics, Thomas enjoyed Raku pottery, which he claimed is like “playing with fire". In his studio he explored the formula of ceramics as differences in temperature transform colour and appearance. He also experimented with a golden glaze, meaning his pieces are both practical and extraordinary. His work has been exhibited at the Polytechnic Society in Falmouth and has been very popular at the Penwith Gallery in St Ives.
One of his favourite exhibitions at the Fish Factory featured the Lord of the Logos, Christophe Szpajdel and Thomas appreciated how the Fish Factory welcomes all art into their space. In his studio he kept a kiln, which could reach up to temperatures of 3000 degrees, making him the resilient artisan of the Fish Factory. Thomas explained “every time you open up a kiln it’s like Christmas” as each pot emerges differently.
Laura Page
Laura Page is an illustrator who joined us in July 2020. Since becoming a studio member, Laura has already brought a lot of fresh energy and excitement to the art space, valuing the community of artists who support one another. Laura spent her childhood near London, coming to study at Falmouth University. After graduation, Laura moved to New York for an internship before returning to her favourite place - Cornwall. Laura has a strong connection with Cornwall, visiting its beautiful coasts since she was a child. Determined to return, Laura feels a strong sense of love for the location. “My heart truly flies here,” she explains, “with the sea, the landscape and nature.”
With beautiful enthusiasm, Laura describes how she illustrates with paint, experimenting with gouache and typography to portray different subjects and contexts. With a strong appreciation for travel and culture, Laura aspires to create “joyful, colourful, creations that shed light on a subject in a way that sometimes only illustration can do.” A common visitor to the Fish Factory before she was a member of the studio, Laura adored the live music that would take place, drawing inspiration from its powerful yet intimate atmosphere. Laura’s next focus will be turning her creative practice into business, establishing herself with the industry and then moving forward to continue her painting. Thank you Laura for bringing lots of vibrancy to the studio.
With beautiful enthusiasm, Laura describes how she illustrates with paint, experimenting with gouache and typography to portray different subjects and contexts. With a strong appreciation for travel and culture, Laura aspires to create “joyful, colourful, creations that shed light on a subject in a way that sometimes only illustration can do.” A common visitor to the Fish Factory before she was a member of the studio, Laura adored the live music that would take place, drawing inspiration from its powerful yet intimate atmosphere. Laura’s next focus will be turning her creative practice into business, establishing herself with the industry and then moving forward to continue her painting. Thank you Laura for bringing lots of vibrancy to the studio.
Rose Bagenal
Rose Bagenal, a resident artist, enjoyed her time at the Fish Factory so much she joined our studio in November 2018! Diverse and fervent, Rose is drawing from multiple mediums to explore self-perception and the female body. Inspired by mythology and folklore, she immerses herself in history, colour and texture to address how regular women of every shape can be perceived as Goddesses.
Rose is a recent graduate of Brighton for Fine Art and Print Making and has experimented with etching, painting, textiles, lithography and crochet. The process of creating art and colour is exciting as it directly encapsulates the transitioning nature of the body and existence.
A particular muse for Rose is the "Venus of Willendorf," a small stone carving from at least 30,000 BCE, motivating her to revive true definitions of beauty from antiquity to the present. By portraying voluptuous bodies, Rose celebrates the "unsung heroines," of art, reinventing and innovating classical and modern impressions of identity and form.
Since her graduation Rose has moved to Penryn and describes the change from London to Cornwall as quite an adjustment. However, the shift has allowed Rose some much-needed time to rest and gain perspective of her own work.
The Fish Factory and its space encouraged Rose to practice using casting and clay. Although Rose has moved on from the Fish Factory, it's wonderful to know that thanks to Rose, celestial and bodily female identity will continue to flourish in Cornwall.
Rose is a recent graduate of Brighton for Fine Art and Print Making and has experimented with etching, painting, textiles, lithography and crochet. The process of creating art and colour is exciting as it directly encapsulates the transitioning nature of the body and existence.
A particular muse for Rose is the "Venus of Willendorf," a small stone carving from at least 30,000 BCE, motivating her to revive true definitions of beauty from antiquity to the present. By portraying voluptuous bodies, Rose celebrates the "unsung heroines," of art, reinventing and innovating classical and modern impressions of identity and form.
Since her graduation Rose has moved to Penryn and describes the change from London to Cornwall as quite an adjustment. However, the shift has allowed Rose some much-needed time to rest and gain perspective of her own work.
The Fish Factory and its space encouraged Rose to practice using casting and clay. Although Rose has moved on from the Fish Factory, it's wonderful to know that thanks to Rose, celestial and bodily female identity will continue to flourish in Cornwall.
Jennie Rawling
Jennie Rawling is a writer & puppeteer. Originally from Yorkshire, Jennie has lived in Portsmouth, London and Madrid. After studying International Relations with Spanish and working in communications, Jennie decided to immerse herself in performance and attended East 15 Acting School to train as a professional actor. She rediscovered her childhood enthusiasm for puppetry and refined her skills at the Curious School of Puppetry. As a puppeteer, she has performed around the world and has experience as a multi-operator with table-top, site-specific and large-scale puppetry.
Her latest project, a show titled When Seagulls Saved the World, interrogates plastic pollution within coastal communities. Jennie’s clever, interdisciplinary approach to her practice allows her to confront essential issues such as the environment while evoking the puzzling magic and playfulness of her craft.
Jennie’s practice is influenced by the natural world; she runs a nature writing blog called Muddy Scribbles and is currently working on a novel set near a forest, channelling environment into text.
After living in London for a few years and disliking the rushed pace and noise, Jennie came to Cornwall in 2018 and joined us at the Fish Factory a few months ago. Although Jennie still has to travel to and from London for auditions, she values the presence of water and is inspired by her surroundings. Jennie has founded a puppetry company called Nosey Hedgehog Puppetry with focus on community-building and landscape. “There’s still this idea in this country that puppetry is just for children,” she explains “and it couldn’t be further than the truth!”
Her latest project, a show titled When Seagulls Saved the World, interrogates plastic pollution within coastal communities. Jennie’s clever, interdisciplinary approach to her practice allows her to confront essential issues such as the environment while evoking the puzzling magic and playfulness of her craft.
Jennie’s practice is influenced by the natural world; she runs a nature writing blog called Muddy Scribbles and is currently working on a novel set near a forest, channelling environment into text.
After living in London for a few years and disliking the rushed pace and noise, Jennie came to Cornwall in 2018 and joined us at the Fish Factory a few months ago. Although Jennie still has to travel to and from London for auditions, she values the presence of water and is inspired by her surroundings. Jennie has founded a puppetry company called Nosey Hedgehog Puppetry with focus on community-building and landscape. “There’s still this idea in this country that puppetry is just for children,” she explains “and it couldn’t be further than the truth!”
Seb Sumers
In August 2018 Seb Summers joined the Fish Factory studio. Colourful and energetic, he has always been interested in creative work from a very early age. A foundation student of Falmouth, he graduated from Cardiff School of Art and Design with a degree in Graphic Communication. Raised in Cornwall from the age of three, Seb has lived in Bahrain, Wales and settled in Vietnam for a year, teaching English and exploring, yet always found himself migrating back to Cornwall – a place which he claims has enhanced his creative ability.
Seb loves the Fish Factory, comparing the space to the best part of school: messy, nitty gritty, full of art accompanied by good music and coffee. He is excited for the December Open Exhibition where he will display his latest project in progress called ‘The Tembo.’(‘A project, which in his words is ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ meets ‘Fargo’ crossed with ‘Tintin.’) With adventure, energy and pandemonium, Seb has endless creativity bouncing in all directions.
Describing himself as a designer, Seb has skill and interest within a multiplicity of mediums. He has worked in branding, advertising and he also illustrates and creates film and video. In his illustrations, he expresses a subtle sense of humour and reveals a “quirky outlook on the mundane.” However, when it comes to filming, Seb addresses important issues in society, raising awareness about drug addiction and domestic abuse. He has also started to experiment with short narrative pieces which delve into alternative ways of story-telling which haven’t yet been explored in film.
Jess Pemberton
Jess was studio member from September 2018. Jess moved from London to Cornwall six years to study Fine Art at Falmouth University. As an artist who has transitioned from the city to coast, she found the change enriching as it allowed her explore to nature and her surroundings and “soak in the environment.”
Jess’ expertise lies in portraits by using her art as an outlet for her thoughts and inner conflict. Through art she attempts to capture states of feeling, exploring the “commonality between people.” By investigating states of confusion and split sense of self, Jess translates depths of emotion and how such feelings are experienced by all at some stage in life. Inspired by artists, Hannah Hoch, Hundertwasser and Picasso, Jess employs colour, collage, fragmented shape and profile to explore vibrancy of soul.
Jess finds being surrounded by other studio artists nourishing and her favourite event to date has been Radical Music Week. Versatile and motivated, her upcoming projects include artwork for Oh Mr James, workshops, experiments with Stop Motion Animation and exhibiting with the Collagists Collective. Jess has now left the Fish Factory but is still an active member in our community, check out her immersive art project @virtualcollageclub.
Jess’ expertise lies in portraits by using her art as an outlet for her thoughts and inner conflict. Through art she attempts to capture states of feeling, exploring the “commonality between people.” By investigating states of confusion and split sense of self, Jess translates depths of emotion and how such feelings are experienced by all at some stage in life. Inspired by artists, Hannah Hoch, Hundertwasser and Picasso, Jess employs colour, collage, fragmented shape and profile to explore vibrancy of soul.
Jess finds being surrounded by other studio artists nourishing and her favourite event to date has been Radical Music Week. Versatile and motivated, her upcoming projects include artwork for Oh Mr James, workshops, experiments with Stop Motion Animation and exhibiting with the Collagists Collective. Jess has now left the Fish Factory but is still an active member in our community, check out her immersive art project @virtualcollageclub.
Robbie Graham
Robbie Graham is a highly accomplished and versatile graphic designer, art director and illustrator who joined us in February 2020. He works with a wide range of mediums, including digital manipulation, traditional pen and ink drawing, printmaking and filmmaking.
Resourceful and diverse, Robbie has always enjoyed various creative pursuits, such as art, drama, model-making, filming and illustration from a young age. As a student he gained a first class BA Honours from the University of Ulster in Design for Visual Communication and also attended the Belfast Polytechnical College for Art and Design, Dun Laoghaire IADT for film production, practiced screen-printing at Print Club in London and Music Production at the SAE Institute and VJing at Film Oxford.
As ambitious as he is diligent, Robbie worked in London as an art director and freelance graphic designer, moving to Amsterdam for three years to produce international campaigns for global brands like HP, Playstation and Asics. A key focus for Robbie has always been developing creative solutions to business problems and employing creative narratives; he draws inspiration from text, manuscripts, music and the dynamic approaches of other artists/ key figures such as Hassan Hajjaj, Basquiat and Angela Davis.
Robbie also finds the community of artists at the Fish refreshing and motivating, valuing the open-plan space and social aspect of working. He is currently illustrating a children’s book about an “an old salty seadog of an explorer called Roger who has a gigantic beard with lots of exotic creatures living inside it!” We’re so pleased to have Robbie with us at the Fish as his skills are multifarious!
Resourceful and diverse, Robbie has always enjoyed various creative pursuits, such as art, drama, model-making, filming and illustration from a young age. As a student he gained a first class BA Honours from the University of Ulster in Design for Visual Communication and also attended the Belfast Polytechnical College for Art and Design, Dun Laoghaire IADT for film production, practiced screen-printing at Print Club in London and Music Production at the SAE Institute and VJing at Film Oxford.
As ambitious as he is diligent, Robbie worked in London as an art director and freelance graphic designer, moving to Amsterdam for three years to produce international campaigns for global brands like HP, Playstation and Asics. A key focus for Robbie has always been developing creative solutions to business problems and employing creative narratives; he draws inspiration from text, manuscripts, music and the dynamic approaches of other artists/ key figures such as Hassan Hajjaj, Basquiat and Angela Davis.
Robbie also finds the community of artists at the Fish refreshing and motivating, valuing the open-plan space and social aspect of working. He is currently illustrating a children’s book about an “an old salty seadog of an explorer called Roger who has a gigantic beard with lots of exotic creatures living inside it!” We’re so pleased to have Robbie with us at the Fish as his skills are multifarious!
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