‍ARTIST PAIRING WITH GLOSSOPDALE FURNITURE PROJECT ENCOURAGES SUSTAINABILITY

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In the third instalment of its 2023 Pairings residency programme, Glossop Creates has paired artist Liam Hopkins - aka Lazarian - with Glossopdale Furniture Project. 

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Lazarian is a multidisciplinary creative studio specialising in designing and creating bespoke products and experiences for both interior and exterior spaces. This can be in the form of public artworks, brand promotional objects and statement sculptural pieces. Liam is a world class talent, based in Manchester.

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Glossopdale Furniture Project is a registered charity that helps people who have been referred from social services, housing charities, women’s refuges and many other local organisations who support individuals and families in need.   GFP also operates two shops where local people can buy upcycled and recycled furniture for their homes and businesses. They have an in-house workshop and painting studio, which Liam will have access to.

Through a series of focussed activities, experimentations and workshops in collaboration with Glossopdale Furniture Project, Liam will encourage conversation around sustainable practices, environmentally friendly materials and local circular systems. 

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This is especially poignant to the large civic projects and buildings in Glossop that are soon to be given a new lease of life in the Town Hall and Victoria Hall. As part of his research, Liam will explore an innovative approach to these transformative projects.

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Liam comments

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“I'm so excited to announce that I am partnering with Glossopdale Furniture project for this research residency.  Through this opportunity, I have the chance to bring my unique creative vision and knowledge of sustainable and circular economy thinking to the people of Glossop and surrounding areas. I'm thrilled to be part of such an amazing initiative, and hope to make a difference in the community.

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“We develop emotional connections to the furniture we use, many of which come with stories and memories to unlock and share. I am interested in how this emotional connection and sharing these stories can encourage reuse and upcycling and discourage a throwaway mentality.”

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Steven Dexter from Glossop Creates said:

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“Lazerian’s work spans various genres, processes, industries and sectors. No two projects are truly the same. Individuality and pushing boundaries is what Lazerian stands for and that is exactly what we wanted for the pairing with Glossopdale Furniture Project.”

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The Glossop Creates Pairings commissioning programme takes an action-research approach, inviting artists to develop ideas and creative methodologies whilst creating high quality, locally relevant work that increases local engagement with culture and the local environment. For our Pairings Artist Residency programme we link an artist / creative practitioner to undertake a creative research residency with an issue, business or geographic point of interest that is integral to our community.

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Steven continues:  “As part of the second phase of the Pairings programme, we have commissioned three local artists / creative practitioners to research and develop their theme and create responses to the research, in partnership with the host partner. The first two that we have announced pair podcaster, artist and producer Clare Savory with The Peak District National Park, the second pairs archaeologist Tim Campbell Green with our Living Room website, and we are now ready to announce the third and final residency of the second phase.

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“We have long been admirers of the Glossopdale Furniture project, with their focus on local sustainable approaches to furniture making, design, use and recycling and so decided to pair an artist with them.  We were interested in embedding this approach into large civic projects and public spaces and how an artist might consider approaches to interior design whilst also considering potential audiences, use of storytelling and using inspiration from Glossopdale.

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“Small town doesn’t mean small ambition and we are excited to see Liam’s approach applied to the myriad of new possibilities in Glossop!”

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