In this exclusive Q&A, we sit down with artist Livia Spinolo who shares her journey of creative collaboration with Wienerberger. We explore how experimentation with clay as part of her residency at our Ewhurst factory is inspiring her to craft habitats that enhance biodiversity and have aesthetic appeal.
A: It all began with a conversation with a fellow artist who had reached out to Wienerberger in search of discarded bricks for an installation. As someone deeply passionate about architectural elements, particularly using brick as a base unit, I was immediately intrigued.
My first encounter with Wienerberger came when I needed upcycled materials for a workshop at a Reclaim Network Plus Conference addressing climate change. While discarded bricks didn't fit the conference's criteria, it started a conversation with Tim Burgess, Plant Manager at their Ewhurst factory. This led to the offer of a residency at that site, sponsored by Wienerberger.
A: Absolutely! As well as my education in Fine Art, I also have a background in Geology, so my passion for natural materials and the environment heavily influence my work. One of my career highlights was presenting sculptural habitats at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival in Summer 2023.
I have collaborated with Surrey Hills Arts for their project Habitat in the past two years and my residency is a continuation of my journey in environmental art. Project Habitat is managed by Surrey Hills Arts in collaboration with Uni of Surrey and Surrey Wildlife Trust and started in 2022. I started my residency at Wienerberger experimenting with pieces for a “green wall”, but while that project came into being, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to work with the two different types of clay produced in the site and experiment with new techniques working on pieces for myself as well as habitats for Wienerberger.
A: Currently, I'm focused on creating pieces for Wienerberger's reptile garden, aiming to enhance biodiversity and create habitats for various species. From designing shelters for slow worms to crafting rainwater-collecting bowls for insects, each project is meticulously planned to align with environmental goals. Wienerberger's commitment to sustainability fits perfectly with my vision, and I'm excited to see how these projects unfold.
I’m currently working on the slow worm habitat, using corrugated clay panels to create a permanent installation with a collapsed shed aesthetics. Aside from sustainability driven projects, I’ve also been playing around with traditional brick moulds then manipulating the shape of the clay to create unique brick sculptures.
Slow Worm Model by Livia Spinolo.
A: Wienerberger's support has been vital in bringing my artistic visions to reality. The whole team at Ewhurst have been incredibly helpful every step of the way, offering valuable expertise on technical matters like drying times and firing. As a sculptor I’ve worked with clay before but not brick clay, so their expertise is reassuring and valuable to me. Plus, they're always ready to offer tools and materials whenever I need them.
Tim's infectious enthusiasm and eagerness to collaborate have been truly inspiring, setting a positive tone for the projects. The support of the team makes it easy for me to focus on my creative process and work at speed without getting bogged down by logistical challenges. Failure is part of the work and the challenge, but luckily for me failure is reduced to the minimum because I have a highly-skilled people advising me on what works and what doesn't.
A: In the near future, I’m looking forward to seeing my pieces being installed at the new reptile garden at Ewhurst. I hope to further collaborate with Wienerberger to expand the scope my environmental art. My goal is to create pieces that not only serve a functional purpose but also inspire awe and appreciation for art and nature. With Wienerberger's support, I hope to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity and sustainability in design.
To find out more about Livia and her art, take a look at her website and follow her progress on Instagram.
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