Rebecca Skeels

Rebecca Skeels started her business in 1994 after graduating from the University of Wales. Since 1994, Rebecca’s thirst for knowledge and her passion for sharing has lead her to graduate from Central Saint Martin’s (MA Project by Design) and achieving a PGC in Higher Education from the University for Creative Arts.

As a designer maker, Rebecca’s work has exhibited across Europe and in the US and she continues to explore ideas and work collaboratively with like-minded designer makers within different disciplines utilising different materials. In parallel, Rebecca’s enthusiasm to encourage others to learn and to be creative has lead to her current position as Subject Leader for Postgraduate courses in Craft at the University for Creative Arts.

Rebecca’s position as a design maker, leader of craft courses and as an active member of the UK’s craft industry, provides her with a unique perspective on education and requirements for the future of ‘the crafts’. Her interests allow her to continuously develop craft education to enable more inclusive learning experiences which are adaptable to the students’ abilities and her exploration of ‘other’ materials and processes from different craft disciplines provides an extensive view of the industry.

Materials are her obsession; bridging her work as a designer maker and her role as an educator. Materials and their related processes determine not only the form and function of an object, but also the object’s interaction with the surrounding environment, connecting with personal memories and associations. The use of materials within Rebecca’s own work can be fun, contradictive, functional and thought provoking. The knowledge of other craft sectors has lead to the exploration of traditional techniques and processes, along with new technologies and digital processes, developing current and future craft practices.

Research Outputs and Activities:

Publications:

• 2016 Book Review – Findings Magazine
• 2015 Book Review – Findings Magazine; ‘Business’ - Craft and Design Magazine; ‘UCA Collaboration’ – Rising Stars Catalogue; ‘Business’ - UCA Alumni Magazine
• 2014 Exhibition Review – Findings Magazine; Symposium and workshop reviews - Findings Magazine; ‘Profile on Artist’ - Magazine Connection; Book Review – Findings Magazine; ‘Stepping to Success’ – Rising Stars Catalogue
• 2013 ‘New Designers’ – Findings Magazine; ‘Cut in Clerkenwell’ – Findings Magazine; ‘Networking’ - Findings Magazine
• 2012 Humour In Craft by Brigitte Martin
• 2011 - B+C online journal
• 2010 Metal Clay Beads by Barbara Becker Simon; Magical Metal Clay Jewellery: by Sue Heaser

Conferences and Symposiums:

• Collaboratively Managed - Rising Stars Symposium 2016
• Presented at - Material Symphysis Symposium 2016
• Presented at and ran workshop - China Institute of Gemmology 2015
• Collaboratively Managed - Rising Stars Symposium 2015
• Collaboratively Managed - Rising Stars Symposium 2014
• Collaboratively Managed and presented at - Rising Stars Symposium 2013
• Presented at - Hotweek, Kunsthogskolen I Oslo, Oslo National academy of the Arts 2012
• Collaboratively Managed and presented at - Rising Stars Symposium 2012
• Collaboratively Managed and presented at - Rising Stars Symposium 2011
• Presented at - Teaching and learning Conference 2011
• Managed and presented at - Material Connection Symposium 2010 
• Regularly exhibit locally, throughout the UK and abroad and have exhibited in one of the largest solo shows of contemporary jewellery at South Hill Park, Bracknell, celebrating the end of a three year Artist in Residence programme.