The Hand — Ella Saddington

Ella Saddington

Ella Saddington is an experimental designer, researcher, and artist currently based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. Her practice explores the intersection of craft, material culture, and design, focusing on reactivating pre-industrial techniques within contemporary contexts. Through her studio, Cordon Salon, Saddington investigates the tacit knowledge embedded in traditional craftsmanship, blending historical research with material experimentation to create objects that are both functional and deeply resonant.

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

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, as the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and future, and extend this respect to all Indigenous Nations for their enduring stewardship, wisdom, and creative contributions.

Category: Research Materials

'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.