Saddington’s work spans sculpture, furniture, and lighting, characterised by a rigorous engagement with process and an enduring inquiry into sustainability, legacy, and the transmission of skill. Her practice is defined by meticulously investigating how objects are made, the systems that sustain them, and their cultural significance. By reframing overlooked or obsolete craft practices, Saddington reveals their enduring relevance, contributing to a broader discourse on materiality and innovation in design.
Her work has been exhibited widely in Australia, with notable presentations at the Melbourne Art Fair (2024), the National Gallery of Victoria (2023), Oigall Projects (2023), Craft Victoria (2022) and Sophie Gannon Gallery (2021), and is held in private collections internationally.
In 2022, Saddington was awarded the George Alexander Fellowship by the International Specialised Skills Institute, supporting an intensive study into the material intelligence of medieval and early modern European armour-making. She is a recipient of the Creative Victoria 2023 Creators Fund (Aus) and a member of the Royal Anthropological Institute (UK) a member of the National Association of Visual Artists (Aus) and Craft Victoria (Aus).
Commissions and collaborations welcome
Get in touch:
Email: ellasaddington@gmail.com
Instagram: @ellasaddington
Are.na: Ella Saddington
PROJECT: WALLACE LAMP, 2024
Now, their craft not only defined the technologies of their time but also laid the groundwork for advancements in engineering, mechanics, and material science that continue to shape our world today. This lineage of innovation reveals that crafted goods are far more than objects of utility or beauty; but are an evolving repository of human ingenuity. They carry a foundation of knowledge that both reflects the complexities of the era and drives progress into the future.
The Wallace Lamp, a prelude to our forthcoming Garniture Collection, embodies this philosophy. Named in homage to the Wallace Collection in London, where I was first captivated by the artistry and ingenuity of historical armour. The lamp represents a contemporary reimagining of these age-old techniques, a dialogue between history and the contemporary moment. Functioning both as utilitarian artefacts and as a reminder of the beauty and intelligence embedded in the processes, hands, minds, and legacies that have shaped them.
FINISH: Mirror polish
WEIGHT: 3.5 KG / 7.7 lbs
LAMP: E14 LED
SWITCH: Inline
CORD: 3-core/0.75 mm
POWER: 120V - 240V AUS/NZ
DIMENSIONS: W: 40 CM /15.75 IN
H: 51 CM / 21 IN
- - Camilla Groth
- Category: Applied Research
- For: Cordon Salon
- Project: Puddle Mirrors
- Date: 2018-Ongoing
- Process: Silvering
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Design: Ella Saddington
- Craftwork: Luke Price
Materials: Glass, Cerium Oxide, Tin, Silver Nitrate, Ammonia, Glucose, Sealant
Silvering, initially developed in the 16th century and refined over generations, reached its most recognised form in the 19th century. Artisans perfected the technique, using silver nitrate, tin, ammonia, and glucose to create the high-quality reflective surfaces we associate with mirrors today. This process, which merged art with chemistry, became increasingly sophisticated, preserving a deep, tacit knowledge of material transformation. However, with the rise of mass production and synthetic materials in the mid-20th century, silvering gradually faded into obscurity, nearly lost in the rush of industrialisation.
These Puddle Mirrors re-engage with this nearly forgotten tradition, reinterpreting silvering not simply as a technical process but as a form of cultural preservation. Imbued with quiet experimentation, they reflect the disquieting passage of time, turning the reflective surface into a site of material and intellectual contemplation. By resurrecting silvering, we tap into a language that has been all but forgotten, questioning how historical craftsmanship can still inform contemporary design and reminding us that the boundaries between past and present are always porous, always reflective.
'The Hand' by Frank R. Wilson
Frank Wilson explores the evolutionary and neurological significance of the human hand, highlighting its crucial role in the development of human intelligence, creativity, and culture. According to Wilson, the hand is not just a functional tool but a vital instrument in cognitive development, deeply intertwined with brain function. The act of crafting—whether shaping materials, creating art, or manipulating objects—engages the brain in ways that promote neural growth, especially in areas responsible for fine motor control, problem-solving, and spatial awareness. This direct connection between hand and brain fosters creativity, as the tactile experience of making allows for new ways of thinking and learning. Wilson’s work underscores how manual dexterity and hands-on engagement with the world not only shape our cognitive abilities but also underpin the very foundation of culture, from the creation of tools to the development of complex forms of artistic expression. Through this lens, the hand becomes not only a medium for craft but a conduit for intellectual and cultural evolution.