Kate Colin is a paper folding artist and designer based in Glasgow who creates bold and sculptural lighting and homewares. Inspired by origami and geometric form, her range of handcrafted folded products emphasise the interplay between light and shade.
Founded in 2014, her studio manufactures products for both residential interiors and commercial clients. All work is produced in small limited edition quantities and made entirely by hand using traditional folding and fabric pleating techniques.
Kate’s appreciation for the beauty and variety of geometric form was inherited from her mathematician father who made polyhedral models in his spare time. Many years later, she decided to channel this latent interest in colour, tonal variations and geometry to create a range of functional homeware products.
Having received several awards and scholarships, she is continually striving to increase her knowledge of the art of folding and origami, learn new techniques and experiment with ways of applying her designs to new materials to create a variety of innovative, functional products.
She regularly teaches all levels of students and hosts regular online and in-person paper folding workshops and masterclasses. She has also recently launched a new course with Domestika.
Training
Kate is largely self-taught but has attended numerous masterclasses around Europe with leading paper folders including Paul Jackson, Dario Zeruto, and Richard Sweeney (summer 2023).
Awards
2019 - Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) – Funding towards a bespoke programme of training in advanced folding and pleating with specialists across Europe.
2019 - The Heritage Craft Association (HCA) – recipient of an Endangered Crafts Fund award.
2017/18 - Visual Artist & Craft Maker Award (Creative Scotland).
2016/17 - Visual Artist & Craft Maker Award (Creative Scotland).
2016 - Crafts Council Hothouse Programme.
Exhibitions
Oct 2022 - Decorex, London ‘Making Spaces’
April - June 2022 - Fortnum and Mason - Exhibited and sold work at an exhibition in partnership with QEST to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and best of British Craft.
June 2020 - Artefact, Chelsea Design Centre, London (QEST stand)
June 2020 - Colour Exhibition, Design Centre, Liverpool
Aug 2018 - Craft Scotland Summer Show, Edinburgh
April 2018 - 67 York St Gallery, London – ‘Collective Invites’ - Group exhibition
April 2018 - Barbican, London – Display of work in the Barbican shop as part of the Make! season
Nov 2017 - Feb 2018 (Solo Show) - Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Solo show ‘The Art of the Fold’
Sep 2016: London Design Fair (Scotland: Craft & Design Pavilion).
Dec 2017 - Custom Lane, Edinburgh – Custom:Made.
Sep 2016 - London Design Fair (Scotland: Craft & Design Pavilion).
Sep – Nov 2016 - Mission Gallery, Swansea
Aug 2016 - Craft Scotland Summer Show, Edinburgh.
Jul 2016 - One Year On: New Designers, London.
Jun – Jul 2016 - Consul d’Art, Marseille, France.
Dec 2015 – Jan 2016 (Solo Show) Review Gallery, The Lighthouse, Glasgow
Aug 2015 – Aug 2016 - Bakery 47, Glasgow
April – May 2013 - (AS02 Group Show) The Lighthouse, Glasgow
Teaching
Barbican, London
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh
DCA (Dundee Contemporary Arts)
Glasgow City College
Cockpit Arts London
West Dean College
Craft Scotland
Strathclyde University
Glasgow Museums
Merrill Lynch
Manchester Craft & Design Centre
The Japanese Gardens, Cowden