Maria Sears

Maria Sears

Codi Co-Captain

I am a full time designer and maker working in Newcastle

Upon Tyne and Pembrokeshire. I am a member of the Codi team and will be running

workshops in our studio space.

I grew up in a big creative family, my father being the chair maker John

Brown. From a young age I was encouraged to look at how things were

made and designed. I learned how to use tools and work with materials,

whilst developing a critical eye. I am mostly self-taught.

I began working with metal at the forge of my twin brother’s blacksmith shop

in my early 20s. He introduced me to the piercing saw, and I have been cutting

metal ever since.

My practice now has many strands:

metalwork, jewellery, illustration, printmaking, textiles, surface design,

typography. I continue to learn, developing new work regularly.

I take inspiration from nature and people, often playful and interconnected,

inspired by myth and folk art. Other influences include medieval illustration

religious iconography, and mid-century design.

I teach workshops in schools, hospitals and community events, as well as

private classes.

I enjoy commissions. Helping a client bring their vision to life is special.

Making is a refuge, a place of calm for me. To connect with people through

my work brings great joy.

@mariasearsartist