Back in the late 1990s, wood-sculpting when artists, and married couple, Malcolm Martin and Gaynor Dowling first started working together, they each brought specific and complementary skills to the table.
Malcolm was fine-art trained and had made sculptures in various materials before finally settling on wood. Gaynor had trained in textiles and at the time was creating fine-art felting: surface pattern and texture were her thing.
Having met a year or two earlier on the West Country exhibition circuit, theirs was a fortuitous encounter, both romantically and professionally. Their initial interest in each other's work developed into something more, as Gaynor joined forces with Malcolm in exploring surface decoration, which would provide the finish to his sculpted wooden vessels. 'I was coming from more of a carving background and Gaynor was from a world of pattern and texture. We thought bringing the 3D and the 2D together was rather interesting, so it evolved into a proper, full-time collaboration,' says Malcolm.
Over the 25 years they have worked together professionally as Martin and Dowling, the couple have built a body of work exploring this melding of the 2D and 3D, which includes pieces now held in a dozen public collections, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
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Asante & Ewe Kente
This West African stripwoven cloth dates back centuries and is still manufactured today, representing a vibrant symbol of the area's history and traditions, says Celia Rufey
A place of CONTRASTS
Filled with art, Murano glass and other treasures, this Milanese villa is experiencing a new era of splendour thanks to Marco Arosio
Industrial OASIS
Pernille Holm transformed this Copenhagen workshop into an inviting home that's packed with quirky details and original features
Greek mood
Returning to France after several years living on the island of Hydra, Véronique Bloch-Powell has infused the interior of this 18th-century mill with Greek style, via furniture and paintings brought back from her Hellenic journeys
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE GERALD MAK
The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about Meissen, friendly gestures, and the benefits of distance when considering your heritage
Six of the best COTTAGES FOR GARDEN LOVERS
Summertime is when the English country garden is at its best, which is why you should pick one of these picturesque cottages, castles or cabins to enjoy arural idyll, says Rhiannon Batten
48 hours in NARBERTH & the Pembrokeshire Coast
Much feted for its food scene, the small Welsh town of Narberth can also be applauded for its vintage and antiques offering, which has blossomed in recent years, says Rosanna Morris
TRAVEL
Visit Narberth, plus six holiday cottages for garden lovers. Review of The Lido Townhouse by Katie Pike, travel stories by Rhiannon Batten
Pride of place COALBROOKDALE GARDEN SEAT
The Shropshire village made famous by the Darby family's adventures in iron is as celebrated for its ornate garden furniture as it is for its ground-breaking bridge, says Janet Gleeson
A buyer's guide to GARDEN ANTIQUES
Elevate your garden, Bridgerton style, with opulent statues, romantic fountains and oversized urns