An interview with The Fundamentalist
Madeline of The Fundamentalist
Business Owner
•
www.thefundamentalist.co.uk
@thefundamentalist_
Tell us about your business. Please describe your craft/products. What does your business do? Do you target a purpose or specific person?
I am fascinated and driven by the small rituals of life and how curated objects form the identity of homes. How forms and materials permeate the soul, and change the way we feel after simple interactions and the wave of this once you enter a room. In a culture oversaturated and burdened by mass production, I wanted to cultivate a space to source high quality, ethical and sustainable objects all in one place.
The Fundamentalist is centred around craft, design, and artistic expression. Currently situated in Sheffield, our small studio produces handmade, bespoke objects in small batches to ensure quality and environmental preservation. We work with varying craft techniques such as woodworking, carving, ceramics, and hand building Though, this is an ever-evolving skill set.
What inspires you when you are working or creating new work?
I tend to pull inspiration from many facets of my background; I meditate for long hours using Tibetan Buddhist techniques before doing any sort of design work. I also keep myself well read, reading journals and books on design philosophy, conceptual art, craft techniques and industrial design concepts. I’d describe where I draw inspiration in a broader sense I suppose.
What are the core values in your business?
Focused on sustainability, and putting environmental, animal and human rights first. Specialising in environmental design and working in varying craft techniques such as woodworking, carving, ceramics, and hand building. Our studio is now situated in Sheffield, producing handmade, bespoke objects in small batches to ensure quality and environmental preservation.
What is your biggest dream/goal for your business or have you already achieved it/them?
I suppose to be influential in perceptions of homewares; allowing the entrance of thought and revelation that utilitarian objects (bowls, plates, chairs, ect.) aren’t functions of machines but the thoughts of creatives. That machines and tools are the extensions and the actualisation of these individual designers. But also, to allow a discussion amongst designers and practitioners that objects can have a circular lifecycle, and that material sourcing and disposal needs to be considered throughout the process of manufacturing.
What is your favourite product you make and why?
That I would find a more difficult question to answer, being in both mediums of ceramics and woodworking they behave and are attractive in entirely different mediums. I deeply enjoy the limitlessness of clay, and the basic laws that dictate the craft; though, I have been a woodworker far longer and find the final outcome far more rewarding. Therefore, I would say the wooden turned vases and furniture to be one of my favourites.
What would you tell your younger self?
That this is the hardest work, but the most rewarding in personal growth. You will be challenged at every corner, become more adaptable and become more knowledgeable than at any other point thus far. Which will only lead you to becoming insatiably hungry for further learning and knowledge.
What two things in your life can't you live without? (one life related and one business related)
Books and my studio.
Please come up with one question that we can ask in our next interview. This could be as random or as quirky as you want it to be.
What brings you the most satisfaction and joy out of your work?
Question from previous interview:
What is something you wish you could’ve learnt at art school/arts education?
The level of work, dedication and resilience needed to be a designer (let alone a female designer) in a very oversaturated and capitalist society.
Quick fire questions:
Sweet or savoury? Savoury
Morning or night? Morning
Radio1, Radio4 or 6music? No radio, only podcasting
Holiday in the UK or abroad? Abroad
Bright colours or neutral colours? Neutral colours
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