Caruana Showcases Ornamental Backlash In Decorative Arts.

A Design Week article “More is More”, by Sara Manuelli, trumpeted the return of opulence and decadence in design; “After years of minimalist rule, decoration is no longer perceived to be a crime…luxury, profusion, sometimes even an excess of material are stating the case for the return of sensuality”.

(PRWEB) March 14, 2004 --This renaissance in ornamentation is also happening in the field of glass. UK-based, Designer / Craftsman, Ruben Caruana has developed over 20 years, unique, illuminated stained glass Art Cabinets to a design never previously created, even by glass design masters such as Tiffany and Lalique.They are now being regarded, by many Fine Art insiders, as a new Art-form and a possible future design classic with investment potential.

Hand-built and created almost entirely from glass, the latest cabinets are an interior, illuminated, architectural , fully glazed (6 sided) three-dimensional stained glass form; only made possible by the use of pioneering contemporary construction methods. This enables the use of high-load tolerant glass walls and glass shelves.

They also feature clear, iridised and opalescent glass, custom-built hinges, rebated doors, decorative handles inset with glass jewels, mirror glass backing and ebonised wooded crowns and plinths and concealed low-energy halogen lighting. The most recent cabinet “Palms”,6’6” high, 3.5’ wide, 14” deep, weight 180 kgs, was safely delivered to America contained in its purpose-built, 3-stage, transportation crate.

The cabinets provide a means to present and protect valuable, often delicate works of art. All cabinets are hand-made and custom-built to commission only. Typical clients are American and British art collectors who appreciate the design choices complimentary to their object’art collections and/or interior décor.

Recent feedback from the prestigious New York Armoury Antiques & Fine Art Fair and Palm Beach Art and Antique Exhibition, confirm Ruben Caruana's growing reputation as the World’s only acknowledged Stained Glass Art Cabinet-Maker.

Unavailable from any other source, the cabinets’ innovative application of decoration and technology has resulted in gaining a ‘Spirit of Ingenuity’ business award, an invitation to compete for Jerwood Prize - Glass and now the International Festival of Glass Biennale Award 2004.

Contact Details

Designer / Craftsman, Ruben Caruana , Email: caruana@hickmet.com, Tel. No. 07791 589846
Dealer, David Hickmet, Hickmet Fine Arts, Email: david@hickmet.com, Tel. No. 07050 123450
PR / Marketing Agent, Stuart Salmon, Email: stuart.salmon@ukonline.co.uk, Tel. No. 07761 345775

Cabinet Images Online

Selected previous commissions may be viewed on website: www.hickmet.com

Retail Outlets

Three exhibition cabinets, “Portobello” ,“Gothic” & “Empire” are on show and for sale at London’s World famous Portobello Road at Hickmet Fine Arts, 75 Portobello Road, London SW1Y 6AA
Shop: 020-7221-1121, Office Tel. 01342 841508 & Fax 01342 841879

Celebrity Quotations

Viscount Linley,Designer / Craftsman, David Linley Furniture, “…Interesting”

Barbara Hulanicki, Interior Designer, Biba / Island Outpost Hotels: “…Very Beautiful”.

Sir Terence Conran, Habitat: "…Ruben Caruana's work sounds very interesting."

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin: "…Ruben's work looks amazing."

Anita Roddick, Bodyshop: "…Ruben's work looks very unique…and is beautiful."

Betty Jackson, leading Fashion Designer: "…most impressed with Ruben Caruana's work."