08.05.19. Maker’s studio, London

Simone ten Hompel started her career as an apprentice blacksmith but has gone on to become one of the most influential metal artists in the world. Over the years she has had a major retrospective at the Ruthin Craft Centre and shown her work at fairs such as Collect at the Saatchi Gallery and What is Luxury? at London’s V&A.

In an extraordinary interview she discusses: her ‘alternative’ East London studio; getting her first tool box at the age of six; her childhood in West Germany; her ability to ‘read’ the colour grey, the ‘taste’ of metal; her fascination with spoons; and why she isn’t all that keen on technology.

Perhaps most importantly though we talk about her dyslexia – how she learned to cope at a school that didn’t really understand and why it has allowed her to see the world in a slightly different way.  

Find out more about Simone ten Hompel 

Vessel IV was made from stainless steel in 2014.

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Her spoon series has been running since 2011. This one is made from papier-mâché and palladium leaf.

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In & Out was created from gilding metal, silver and palladium leaf in 2008. All images courtesy of Gallery S O. 

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