Why has Henry Stringer, a 21 year old student of the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, created a 20ft long, illuminated 3D sculpture of the Makita brand logo as part of his second year Fine Arts BA coursework?
Well, even at this tender age Henry and his peer group students, who equally share his fan-status of Makita power tools, believes that there is nothing quite like the ergonomic design and high performance of these professional tools of choice.
“As sculpture students we are frequently required to submit a design proposal, to no set brief, in order to illustrate our thought processes,” says Henry. “So why not create the Makita logo as it’s the brand of tool I am most comfortable using.” The 3D display will shortly be moved from the renowned Saint Martins College in the heart of London to a more rural location at Roche Court, a NewArtCentre and Sculpture Park in the grounds of a nineteenth century country home and public Gallery in Salisbury, Wiltshire. The ‘Makita’ will be displayed for the summer season for the enjoyment of thousands of visiting public.
“My 3D metal sculpture, called ‘Makita’, took me just a few weeks,” says Henry of Blackheath, London. “I often help in my father’s retail design business and everything he makes is precise and perfect so I intentionally designed ‘Makita’ to have a distressed visual. It’s going to look brilliant suspended at height from a 300 year old tree at Roche Court.”
Bling? “No, I wouldn’t say that, it wouldn’t be fair to the brand, but the best names should always be emblazoned in lights which gives it celebrity status.”
The Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design is internationally renowned for the creative energy of its students and graduates, and has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of art, design and performance. Fundamental to study at the College is the ethos of experimentation, risk-taking and discovery within a supportive learning environment. “Many generations of renowned artists and designers began their creative journey in these very studios and I’m thoroughly enjoying being here,” comments Henry.
In 2011 the College will move to a new state of the art campus at Kings Cross, London, where all the disciplines will be brought together on one purpose built site which will open exciting opportunities for creative collaboration.
“It’s great to have our name in lights, we’re very flattered” says Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager, Makita UK, “and Makita is pleased to have provided Henry with the inspiration for his work piece.”