New Ashgate Gallery Trust Waggon Yard Farnham GU9 7PS www.newashgate.org.uk gallery@newashgate.org.

uk 01252 713208 Registered charity no. 274326

Heather Woof wins the Rising Stars 2013 Professional Development Award
Jeweller Heather Woof has won the Rising Stars 2013 Professional Development Award. Rising Stars 2013 at the New Ashgate Gallery champions students and graduates of BA and MA fine and applied arts programmes. The Rising Stars exhibition enables new artists and makers to access the market place during these challenging economic times and runs at the New Ashgate Gallery until 4 May. Heather was chosen from 32 artists in the exhibition who were selected from more than 200 applicants. Heather Woofs Windswept collection is inspired by the wild Scottish weather and is reminiscent of the powerful natural forces which shape the landscape around us. Working with hand cut titanium and mild steel the artist aims to evoke a sense of dynamism in these otherwise static materials. She tries to capture a sense of fluid movement in hard and unyielding metal, to create sculptural pieces, which appear to have been quite literally blown over by the wind. Heather studied for an MA Jewellery, Edinburgh College of Art (2012) and has BA Jewellery and Silversmithing, Edinburgh College of Art (2010). Heather Woof lives and works in Edinburgh. The panel of judges consisted of Dr Outi Remes (Director, New Ashgate Gallery), Rebecca Skeels (Designer-Maker and Pathway Leader Jewellery and Metal work, University for the Creative Arts) and Amy Collins (Craft and Exhibitions Officer, Farnham Maltings). The judge Rebecca Skeels says: "although there were double the quantity of entries the quality of techniques, making and ideas was exceptionally high. Those exhibiting should be extremely proud of themselves. Heather Woof showed uniqueness in her work with a mix of metals as well as fabulous quality and care of making."

The runner up was Theo Brooks whose body of glass work explores the relationship between the handmade object and the body. Throughout the process of glassblowing, the hand does not come into direct contact with the molten glass. However, it is the human manipulation of tools and the echoes of breath that produces the glass object. Theo believes by lathe cutting to the different pieces, the evident trace of the ghosting hand becomes more apparent. It also allows Brooks to hand manipulate the object directly, which is of high significance within his work. By cutting the glass via the lathe, Brooks addresses elements such as pattern, texture and a play on light through the movement of his own hands. Theo has a degree in Digital and Interactive Design, SCOLA 2013 and BA Honours in Three Dimensional Design (Glass), UCA Farnham (2011). Theo Brooks lives and works in London and Surrey. The winner is announced on 18 April in the Rising Stars symposium for 70 emerging artists and makers. This national professional development event presents highly regarded speakers from the Crafts Council, the Making Space, a-n: the Artists Information Company, the University for the Creative Arts and the Waverley Borough Council. The keynote is delivered by Professor Lesley Millar, Director of Anglo Japanese Textile Research Centre at UCA. The winner will receive an exhibition in the New Ashgate Gallery and a small cash prize towards a professional development workshop or event. The Award is also supported by a-n, The Artists Information Company that will offer an announcement in the form of an e-interview with the winning artist to be published on an News. a-n will also offer the winner a mentoring session with an artist or arts organiser from within a-n's portfolio of professional development specialists. Rising Stars catalogue at: http://www.lulu.com/gb/en/shop/new-ashgate-gallery/risingstars-2013/paperback/product-20735643.html Rising Stars is supported by Billmeir Charitable Trust and organised by New Ashgate Gallery in partnership with the University for the Creative Arts. Press images

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1. Heather Woof, Windswept Brooch (2012), anodised titanium, sterling silver, gold plate, stainless steel pin 3. Heather Woof, Windswept Necklace (2012), oxidised precious white metal with titanium 2. Theo Brooks, Heria 1 (2013), hand blown and lathe cut glass

The New Ashgate Gallery is an educational charity, dedicated to promote and champion the best contemporary art and craft and to provide an unparalleled resource in Farnham, Surrey and beyond. We support and mentor artists, deliver workshops and host school visits. While we have no regular public funding, we would like to thank our friends and artists for their kind and generous support. The Gallery is open Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm. On Mondays by appointment. Contact: Dr Outi Remes, Gallery Director: 01252 713208, outi.remes@newashgate.org.uk