now…
Since graduating in 2009 from the Upholstery course at the Cass, London Metropolitan University, Jude has been slowly developing her own idiosyncratic approach to upholstery, deconstructing the craft, bastardising its techniques, combining different craft processes, playing and creating new ways of working/upholstering. She tests established ways of thinking through her carefully considered production choices.
As well as producing her own upholstery ‘experiments’ Jude collaborates with architects, artists and makers to realise bespoke commission pieces for both commercial and private clients. An experienced technician and teacher, in 2016 she became an Associate Fellow of the Higher education Academy.
In 2012 she co founded and is co curator of Second Sitters. Second Sitters is Jude Dennis and Hannah Stanton, both practicing upholsterers. Together they promote independent UK and international upholsterers through publications, exhibitions, collaborative working and education days highlighting the changes in the craft of upholstery, showcasing a wave of contemporary art and design led upholsterers.
then…before upholstery Jude worked predominately within the art departments of the creative industries of film, television, theatre, fashion and events - prop designing/making, set building, painting and styling. In 2008 she gained her City and Guilds in modern and traditional upholstery, winning several industry awards for her forward thinking approach to upholstery design.
Exhibitions // live working // curation 2018 Second Sitters vs. SCP, Barbican shop Made! season - upcoming 16-22 April 2018 Second Sitters Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution at The National Centre for Craft and Design. Arts Council England supported curation / group exhibition. 2017 Second Sitters Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution at the Geffrye Museum, Arts Council England supported curation / group exhibition / live working. 2016 Federick Parker Collection, London, Stacker no.1 selected for permanent inclusion. 2016 Hands On, Aram Gallery, London - group exhibition. 2016 Tandemize, The Bank Gallery, London. London Craft Week - live working. 2015 Tranzit Store, Rex Kralj collaboration, London Design Festival – group exhibition. 2015 Alchemy: Material Obsessions, Vivienne Westwood Store Milan, Italy - live working / curation. 2015 The Department of Repair, Camberwell Space UAL, London – live working / group exhibition. 2014 London Then and Now, celebrating 50yrs of The London College of Furniture, Parker Gallery, The Cass, London – group exhibition. 2014 Project Space Tent, London Design Festival - curation / live working. 2013 May Design Series, Excel London, group exhibition. 2013 Second Sitters Parker Gallery, The Cass, London – curation / group exhibition.
Selected commissions // private + commercial 2016 Chair Repair – visible mend and upholstery intervention, private client. 2016 Sofa Surgery – visible mend, private client. 2015 Courtauld Drawing Gallery – two benches - collaboration Witherford Watson Mann. 2014 Architectural Archive – collaboration with Hugh Strange Architects, RIBA award. 2013 Kitchen Bench – collaboration with designer David Amar, private client.
Education 2016 Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 2009 Advanced Level Upholstery - London Metropolitan University, The Cass. 2008 City + Guilds Level 2 Upholstery - London Metropolitan University, The Cass. 1997 BA Hons Crafts - Manchester Metropolitan University.
There is a certain freedom in upholstering something that doesn’t need to be upholstered…