01473 824212Designer of the Month: Pat Albeck
There is something startlingly contemporary in Pat Albeck’s work. Just take a look at the featured image, Apple & Blackberry. It may have been designed by Pat in the 1950s but it is
so modern and so beautifully rendered that it could grace any design 
studio or department store today.
Growing up in a house with abstract murals, Pat had always been acutely aware of the twin pillars of colour and design. A fledgling passion for art through childhood would eventually lead her to the College of Arts and Crafts in Hull - and the 1950s saw the proliferation of her career as a designer. Moving into the 1960s Pat witnessed an art revolution, as did many artists. This was the decade of Pop Art, Minimalism, bold prints and bright, bold, lurid colours. Pat was to have her greatest sixties success with Primavera; textiles for the bedroom inspired by the rustic beauty of Florence.
Pat’s career would take a significant turn in the 1970s when she received a commission for what is now arguably her most famous, iconic work; the National Trust collection of tea-towels. Eventually as the designs took off Pat began to design other items for the National Trust, and table linen, ceramics and other kitchen textiles carried her remarkable images and contributed to her burgeoning portfolio.
Pat has also designed for, among others, Gisella Graham, Department 56 and the Metropolitan Museum. Her son, Matthew Rice, became a designer himself and married the famous ceramic designer, Emma Bridgewater. Pat still remains active as an artist and now paints in watercolours from her home in Norfolk (where cats loom large in her professional and personal life).
Pat Albeck’s name may only be known on an esoteric level but you don’t need to be a professional designer, artist or illustrator to appreciate the beauty of her work. Have a look at her website as soon as you can, and enjoy browsing through her long and illustrious catalogue of works.
Stuart is a real admirerer of Pat's work and he describes her as "Pat, the diva of tea towels, who exudes colour, life and flambuoyancy".
Here are some of the tea towels designs which we have printed for Pat.
01473 824212