Timothy Liles interview part UNO

Posted on July 20, 2010
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Growing up in New England is something I am proud of. There is a feeling of purpose and history that I have not found in any other part of the country. Timothy Liles, designer, surfer and friend, is not only proud of New England but, is inspired by the craft that resides here. A RISD grad and former footwear designer, Tim has always found the purity in making things. He has given lines the intention they need and put crayons on fingers of folks around the world. I hope that this little Q&A gives you a little insight into the mind and the man that Tim is. This will not be the first or last time you will be reading about him or his work, I can tell you that much.

How was the recent show you had in NYC and can you talk about the collection of work you showed?
The show in NYC was great! I exhibited with a TON of other designers at “Cite goes America” (CITE gallery) which was a satellite show to the ICFF. The collection I sent is called “New New England.” It’s a trio of pieces which were brought to realization through collaboration with local craftspeople in and around New Hampshire.

What is the inspiration behind the collection?
The inspiration is very simply New England aesthetic. The materials, forms, colors, and function are all relevant to the area I’ve been living in and mostly ignoring for the last ten years. It took moving up to Portsmouth from Boston to realize that there are very special things in this region, things I could draw from in order to make new things.

How has it been working with outside folks?
A big part of the collaboration with these craftsmen entails outsourcing production to them. I’m a bit of a control freak, any designer is really, so it’s been difficult to let go a little and allow them to wrap up the details. But having more sets of eyes on things and of course their mastery of their crafts has been great. Challenging but rewarding. That said, I think my next group of work will find itself produced by my hands in my basement.

Are there any other designers out there would would like to collaborate with?
There are lots of other designers I’d love to collaborate with, but there’s really no one up in New Hampshire! It’s just too difficult to maintain a working relationship over email and get stuff done efficiently. Some names though: my buddy from RISD Garrett Brooks, I love Stanley Ruiz‘s work, and a more of fantasy collaboration I have would be with… Nickelodeon or something.

Are you currently working on new pieces to add to your current collection of work?
I’m in the planning stages right now to come out with some follow-up pieces. Some stuff that my be less… cost-prohibitive. One of them I’ll be working on during a week long residency at a museum in NYC – more info on that in the coming months.

If you could be any piece of furniture, what would you be and why?
Haha. A coat rack. So I could hide under some coats and eavesdrop on people’s conversations.

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