Caren Hartley

From a small workshop in South London, Hartley’s had a big impact on the UK framebuilding scene.

- James Witts

I’VE BEEN FRAMEBUILDING for around three-and-a-half years. Before that, I worked as a sculptor creating large-scale pieces of art for public display. I also trained as a jeweller and silversmith. I enjoyed the practical side of things but, well, the art world frustrated me. You’d spend a great deal of time talking about your work and justifying it. To me the whole point of art is that it speaks for itself.

I BRAINSTORMED WITH FRIENDS what I should do next. I enjoyed problem solving, making things and working with metal. At the time, I was cycling more and more, and became involved with the London Bike Kitchen. It’s a DIY workspace where they teach you how to fix your bike. I then attended the Vulpine summer fair and it was a revelation – I didn’t know people still made frames in this country. I thought my skills are transferable, I enjoy working with metal… The seeds were sown.