Meet Our Director, Alison.
Alison Smith holds the position of director at Rock + Soar. In this interview, we delve deeper into Alison's background, her role, and what inspires her.
Why did you start Rock & Soar?
I’d always wanted to create my own artistic installations and be able to transform an environment with the use of various materials that play with light and that evoke an emotional response within us. Starting R&S was a chance to put all my creative ideas and knowledge of materials and light into action. We endeavour to portray the beauty of craftsmanship, creative play and freedom. We know so many incredible artists and makers who have so much knowledge to share, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to provide insight on how beautifully detailed and thought-provoking light installations can be made with such skilled craftspeople and I was so excited to realise Monica’s values aligned with mine to allow us to make the jump!
What’s your background?
I’ve worked in the luxury lighting industry for 8+ years both for bespoke and standard product ranges so it is no surprise that I’d gravitate towards my own creations and business - it’s an industry I feel at home in and know so much about. My technical knowledge of light has vastly expanded over this period which helps our art pieces become functional in the home. Prior to this, I studied (BA) Decorative Arts at Nottingham Trent University which involves the exploration of various craft based materials and sculpture. I’d always been an avid painter in my spare time which helped me tease out design ideas, a creative process which we implement at R&S for our initial concepts that help with the story-telling process.
What is your role there?
Primarily, I design and conceptualise. I walk in nature and find a detail that can be expanded on which leads to painting, sketching, colour exploration and prototyping for the story-telling process of our sculptural installations. Often, the client will have an initial idea which sets us in the right direction and we then show our findings, designs and materials to begin the process. As the business is run only by Monica and I, we are all hands on deck with the day-to-day runnings which can get challenging on busy occasions! But we’re a great team with multiple skills and it works so well.
What do you love most about your role in the business?
The creative freedom, discovery and teaching. I’m incredibly grateful to be at a stage in my career where I am creatively fulfilled to paint, draw and design. I hope to encourage others to do the same as it is so necessary for your wellbeing. It’s exciting to discover so many new makers, materials, techniques and processes to which we then teach others and share our knowledge. I hope that we can keep pushing forward in all these aspects, being a hub of resources where people enjoy learning and understanding new explorative ways to design.
What materials do you work with?
There are so many! Our current designs focus on glass and cast acrylic due to their harmonious relationship with light and possibilities to explore colour and texture. We’re excited to explore bone china and porcelain next, where I’ll be putting my slip-casting and mould-making knowledge into action with our ceramics maker in Leicester. Other material applications/processes we’ve explored are paint finishes, patination, glazes, transfers, plating and decorative metalwork, and the list will go on.
What’s next for Rock & Soar?
We’re currently working through some fantastic projects in Central London and the US using our standard product ranges ‘Storm’ and ‘Chitinous’, with our third range called ‘Fracture’ launching late summer. We’re now into our second year of running the business with prospects of participating in LDF and Decorex, as well as further explorative work for another product range with our glassblowers Elliot Walker and Beth Wood at Blowfish Glass.