Ben and Andy at Twofolde on collaboration, influences and the moment after the chaos
First of all, can you tell us about your name Twofolde and how it came about?
The use of stitch lines and seams is central to our practice, with the abstract graphic lines and seams in our paintings suggesting folds and overlays. ‘Folde’ is also an old English word for earth & land which aligns with the organic processes and materials that we use in our works. The ‘two’ comes from the two of us collaborating on the work.
Would you like to tell us a bit about your work and its influences?
One of our main influences is Ben’s Mum, Amanda Sumpter, who is a stone carver & painter also exhibiting at our open house this Winter. We reference a lot of her early sketchbook work from the 1980s abstracting some of the shapes and motifs through paper collage & stitch. There is always a back and forth dialogue between our work and hers. We also love looking at everyday objects and again abstracting these or creating arrangements of these: vessels, tools & dwelling like structures always inspire our work.
You took part in the AOH festival for the first time last May – is your Winter Open House going to have a different feel?
We were so pleased with the reception of our open house in May, we had lots of amazing feedback and made sure to bring back some of the favourite work as well as new pieces from us. We know that Winter is a time where people are looking to pick up some unique gifts so each artist is bringing a lovely selection of their works from small to large & we are really excited to see it all appear!
What are the main criteria for you when selecting guest artists to exhibit alongside you?
Our guest artists are always people whose work we love collecting ourselves, which we find makes it easy to put together a show that flows. We also find it important to fill our space with work by people that we built a community with over the last few years whilst rotating artists showing. We are joined by Ben’s Mum, Amanda Sumpter, who’s stunning works influence our own pieces, Bouclé’s botanical all natural home fragrance and Daniel The Pilgrim Potter who’s hand built ceramics are just breathtaking and who is based in the Coastguard Cottages in Cuckmere Haven where he hosts us for Artwave in September. We are also showing Rose Honey’s beautiful silver and gold jewellery and welcoming back Chalk & Flint Ceramics, whose work we also absolutely love. It’s such a varied show featuring painting, drawing, stitch, sculpture, ceramics & homeware which we are very excited about!
What are you most looking forward to in taking part in the Winter Open Houses?
We are looking forward seeing it all come together, that moment after the chaos where it all seems to click into place. It will be wonderful to see more of our lovely local community [and those who came from further afield] and have a catch up.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
We are also going to be opening for the Kemptown Village late night shopping events on Thursday the 5th & Friday the 6th of December 6pm-8pm so if you are over this way pop by!
Visit Twofolde at:
4 Portland Place,
Ground Floor, Brighton, BN2 1DG
