Marthe Armitage is a British wallpaper designer whose work is characterized by unique hand-drawn designs that are hand printed from lino blocks, varying in size. She makes designs for wallpapers, and curtains.
Marthe Armitage | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Chelsea School of Art |
| Known for | Wallpaper designer |
Early life
editAfter World War II, Armitage studied at the Chelsea School of Art, where she trained to be a painter.[1][2]
Career
editIn the 1950s, after she was married and had children, Armitage started designing and making lino-cut wallpaper.[3] Over time, she became known for her hand-drawn and hand-printed designs.[4]
After sketching the design, she uses hand-cut lino blocks and a century-old offset lithographic printing press to create custom-printed rolls of wallpaper.[5][6] She works in a studio in her garage, where she keeps her printing press. Her daughter, Joanna Broadhurst, works as her assistant.[7]
In 1993 she was elected as Master of the Art Workers' Guild.[8]
In 2004, the historic wallpaper design company Hamilton Weston agreed to represent her work. Sigmar London also sell her work.[9] She designed a wallpaper she entitled "Alphabet" for The Woman in Black, which was created for the film which is based on Susan Hill’s ghost story. Armitage's designs cover the nursery, which is haunted, with automata. The nursery is featured in the scenes where Daniel Radcliffe's character faces off with the titular character.[10]
As of 2020, Armitage was also producing wallpapers through digital processes.[11] In 2018 she was commissioned to create digitally printed wallpaper on vinyl, for the West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth, West London.[12]
Notes and references
edit- ^ Country Life. Country Life, Limited. 2009.
- ^ Doyle, Jessica (30 April 2016). "Jo Malone teams up with printmaker Marthe Armitage". The Telegraph.
- ^ Konig, Rita (5 May 2014). "By Design | Hot New Thing". New York Times. T: The New York Times Style Magazine. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ Wakefield, Mary (22 March 2014). "I never thought I'd write about wallpaper. But I'd never seen wallpaper like Marthe Armitage's". The Spectator. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Back to the Drawing Board". Helpful Creative. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ Jones, Gwyneth "Gwyn" (18 June 2012). "Inspiration: Marthe Armitage". Gallant & Jones. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "New Temporary Exhibition: Marthe Armitage". Historic Houses & Museums: Hogarth's House. London Borough of Hounlsow. 2014. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
Exhibit: Chiswick's maker of hand-made wallpapers 8 February – 27 April
- ^ Past Master List (PDF). Art Workers' Guild.
- ^ Haycock, Sue (8 August 2013). "Marthe Armitage – 'Back to the Drawing Board'". Sigmar London. Archived from the original (Short film) on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "The best hand-made wallpaper in the world is by Marthe Armitage". Bible of British Taste. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ Flegg, Eleanor. "Join the green party: bring the outside indoors with lively botanical prints". independent.
- ^ "Chiswick's Local Web site". www.chiswickw4.com.