As we continue our expedition to the heart of British creativity, let us introduce a young graduate whose work extols the much maligned heartland of quintessential Britishness. Celebrating the eccentric world of “the cat lady”, recent Kingston University graduate Alice Maughan embraces a British tradition that causes so many to sneer: chintz, faded glamour… Maughan makes your gran’s house hip with her strangely beautiful graduate collection.
As a young lady with British creativity at the very core of her work, we delved deeper into her work, her inspirations and her future plans…
Where’s your hometown, and where are you based now?
My hometown is Cambridge; I am currently based in Kingston Upon Thames where I was studying.
Do you think location affects creativity?
I think it’s true that where you are is always going to influence and inspire you in different ways, such as the natural environment and the exhibitions and events that are going on there. Saying that, I think creativity is something that everyone has inside and you are not going to become more or less creative dependant on where you are located.
How would you describe British creativity?
I would describe British creativity as wonderfully strange. I feel that British people are most willing to expose the weird elements of their personalities and most are very proud of their eccentricities. I think a lot of creativity come out of the constant struggle and protest with class and politics.
Photo © Jonathan Corden
Has being British had an effect on your discipline?
I think that I always try to use my Britishness as an aspect in my work. British people everyday, people on the street, in film and books, always influence me. I also love to look at old British style tribes and movements because I feel they are the most creative and full of so much emotion and personal expression, not to copy these styles just to be influenced by the energy and resourcefulness they express.
The Swinging ’60s, punk, Hacienda-era Manchester… is there one period of intense British creativity that you’d like to have been a part of, and why?
I think Punk would definitely be where I wish I could’ve been, and I think had I been that age at that time I would have rebelled just like they did, because it seemed like it must have been a very frustrating time.
Where in Britain do you feel most inspired?
I feel very inspired in London by the street style and the hub of galleries and exhibitions, but I would say I feel much more in tune with and inspired by the seaside I love the quietness that I feel when I look at the vastness of sea and beach.
The top 3 British creatives who have inspired you?
Vivienne Westwood for her drive and individuality, she designs based on her personal taste and is influenced not by trend. She is most influential to me for the way she built her career and label up off the back of a very short lived style explosion and is now an international brand and style icon. Grayson Perry is also a huge influence, his exploration of eccentricities, may it be his own personal discovery or that of another person or group of people. He uses aspects of humour and fun in his work that I also try to embrace in my own. Francis Bacon is such a huge emotional influence for me; the way he expresses and bares his soul is so raw and beautiful.
Photo © Jonathan Corden
If you could collaborate with one GB creative, from any field, who would it be, and why?
I think it would be Grayson Perry as I feel our influences and style and attitude towards art is similar and we would hopefully work well together, and come out with some interesting work.
Which sport would you like to compete in at London 2012?
Probably swimming because I love to swim.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given…
Just to do the best you can, and be proud of what you achieve. And to never compare what you do to others.
What’s next for you?
To get a job, hopefully in design or print design wherever I can to learn and soak up all the information about the industry. Then somewhere along the line I hope to start my own label to carry on the themes of my graduate collection and create many more different ideas and designs.
Photo © Jonathan Corden
Photo © Jonathan Corden
