Dundee Designer Reaches New Heights Ahead of V&A Showcase
A Dundee designer whose colourful contour maps transform Scotland’s hills and mountains into striking artwork is preparing to showcase her work at V&A Dundee.
Kym Parker of Kilo Papa creates prints, homeware, greetings cards and gifts inspired by the distinctive contours of Scotland’s landscapes.
Later this month, she will join around 45 of Scotland’s leading independent makers, artists and designers at the Tea Green Events Summer Design Market. Open to the public and free to attend, the three-day event runs from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July (10am–5pm). Each day, visitors will be able to browse Kym’s collection of prints, tea towels, greetings cards and handmade textile pieces.
Now in its 12th year, Dundee-based Tea Green Events, owned by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen, has become one of Scotland’s leading platforms for independent designers, attracting thousands of visitors to markets across the country. The V&A Dundee event will feature everything from artwork, textiles and ceramics to jewellery and stationery.
Originally from Arbroath, Kym studied Textile Design at Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles in Galashiels before working in Manchester and Glasgow. She recently returned to Dundee, where Scotland’s landscapes continue to inspire her work.
Kym, who works out of WASPS Studios at Meadow Mill, said, “People have such strong emotional connections to Scotland’s landscape, especially its hills and mountains. Whether someone has climbed every Munro, got engaged on a summit or simply enjoyed family walks, my work celebrates the connection people have with the land and the memories they’ve made there.
“Since moving back to Dundee, I’ve been rediscovering the city through adult eyes. I remember my grandfather taking us up The Law when I was little. It felt enormous then, and he’d point out where he lived from the top. Those are exactly the kinds of memories I hope my work helps people hold on to.”
Having exhibited at almost every Tea Green market since 2018, Kym says the events have played a vital role in growing her business.
She added, “I’m incredibly proud to make a living as a full-time artist, and I genuinely don’t think that would have happened without Tea Green. The events are beautifully curated, the venues are exceptional and thousands of people come through the doors. Jo is also the best champion of independent makers like me. Working alone can be quite isolating, but she’s created a supportive community that really benefits everyone.
“Meeting customers in person is one of the best parts of these events. Online, you only see part of the picture. At markets, people share the stories behind the places they ask me to map and that’s lovely – I’ve created maps of places ranging from Edinburgh and the Lake District to the United States and Borneo. If there’s a hill, I can map it.”
Following V&A Dundee, Tea Green Events’ summer programme will continue with markets at Bowhouse in the East Neuk of Fife, The Burrell Collection in Glasgow, Aberdeen Art Gallery and National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait in Edinburgh.
For more information, visit www.teagreenevents.co.uk or www.kilopapastudio.com
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