Juliette Bigley on metal

31.05.22. Internet.


Juliette Bigley is an artist who creates extraordinary, abstract, but somehow familiar, pieces out of metal. I first saw her work at New Designers, the graduate design show held annually in London, after she left the Cass in 2013 – and since then her career has gone from strength to strength. She has a piece in the permanent collection of the V&A; won a slew of awards; written a book entitled, Material Perspectives; and exhibited around the world.

Happily, she’s also an incredibly eloquent advocate for her material of choice and the importance of thinking through making.

In this episode we talk about: discovering metal by chance and the effect that moment had on her life; why making helps her to understand the world; how different metals have contrasting personalities; her fascination with the vessel; a love of lines and boundaries; her background in singing and healthcare; the relationship between music and making; her problem with perfection; oh and swimming the Channel (yes, really).


Find out more about Juliette Bigley

This is Squares made from a mix of metals – something Bigley likes to do on a regular basis.

Group of four is made from steel. Among other things, the artist is fascinated by the spaces inbetween pieces. 


This piece is part of her Planes series and is made from a combination of steel and silver.


The power of steel and the subtlety is silver is a favourite combination for the artist. (All images by Nicola Tree)