An insight into the way Chris and Nicola Cox find inspiration, in both technical process and historic reference, to create their own unique brand of contemporary, sculptural lighting and furniture. This event explores their creative design journey in the form of a Q & A session with Rachel Bates.

Christopher and Nicola Cox take inspiration from the great tradition and techniques of making, from the earliest of primitive art through to the modernist era. Their work involves intensive but rewarding techniques of sculpting in bronze and forged iron as well as carving, modelling and patination, all produced in their own workshop studios.

From an early age Chris was surrounded by the decorative arts. Being born into a family of antique dealers, spanning three generations, the art of sculptors and painters as well as the design of celebrated furniture and lighting manufacturers was omnipresent. His grandparents and father dealt in British and European furniture and works of art and jewellery His mother is a painter of the naïve school and other family members also dealt in antique textiles with an uncle who created extraordinary collage works of art.

It is no wonder then, that Christopher and Nicola’s unique brand of sculptural furniture has found influence and inspiration in so many eras, styles and techniques. However, the dominant driving force in their creations is the couple’s shared enthusiasm for all things sculptural. Having studied fine art together at Wimbledon school of Art in the 1990s they both went on to work in their respective fields- Nicola as an artist in fine art bronze and glass studios while Christopher was immersed in antique metalwork and chandelier making. At the same time, their practice continued in their own shared studio. They set up their first formal workshop and studio together in early 2000, with a mission to keep craft and making alive in the manner of the Arts and Crafts movement.

It is this exposure to period pieces, art, design and conservation that has informed the designers and in turn breathed life into their unique brand of contemporary lighting and furniture.