Liam Hopkins

Liam Hopkins
Portrait of Liam Hopkins of Lazerian inside one of his art sculpture creation named Cathedral of Sound
Born1985 (age 40–41)
Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
EducationManchester Metropolitan University
Known forDesign, sculpture, public art, furniture
Notable workChromatogram, Local Fish, Cathedral of Sound, Polo the Polar Bear
AwardsBest in Show, Liverpool Design Show; Runner-up, 2008 Grand Design Awards; Shortlisted, Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2019
Websitelazerian.com

Liam Hopkins (born 1985) is a British artist, sculptor, and designer based in Manchester. He is the founder of the creative studio Lazerian, established in 2006, which combines traditional craftsmanship with digital technologies to create works in architectural decoration, exhibitions, lighting, furniture, jewellery, and sculpture.[1][2] Hopkins' work has been exhibited internationally, including in Milan, New York, London, Moscow, and Hull,[3] and is held in collections such as the Moscow Design Museum, Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan, and Manchester Art Gallery.[4][5]

Early life and education

Hopkins was born in 1985 in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.[6] Growing up, he developed an interest in making and repairing, restoring a Lambretta scooter at age 13 and a Mini car from ages 15 to 17.[7]

Hopkins studied 3D design at Tameside Technical College starting in 2000, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in 3D design at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), where he experimented with materials such as glass, metal, wood, and ceramics.[8][9]

Career

After graduating, Hopkins founded Lazerian in 2006 in a mill workshop in Mossley, initially creating display stands for Callaway Golf.[3] The studio's name derives from his father's middle name, inspired by Saint Laserian from Old Leighlin, Ireland.[1]

A table he designed won Best in Show for furniture design at the Liverpool Design Show.[4] A refined version was runner-up in the 2008 Grand Design Awards and acquired for the permanent collection of the Moscow Design Museum.[3][4]

Hopkins collaborated with artist Richard Sweeney on cardboard furniture featured in the 2009 Crafts Council touring exhibition Lab Craft.[9] Lazerian, now based in Denton, uses materials like paper, wood, and carbon fibre, blending hand-craft with digital modelling.[10][2]

Hopkins' work often uses reclaimed and recycled materials such as cardboard, electronic waste, and single-use plastics.[7][11]

Selected work

His key works include the following:

  • Chromatogram (2017), 15 ten-foot-tall cardboard pods for the National Festival of Making in Blackburn.[2][12]
  • Local Fish (2017), a four-meter paper sculpture for Hull's Paper City exhibition as part of UK City of Culture.[9][13]
  • Cathedral of Sound (2025), a wind-powered sonic sculpture from donated guitars for Manchester's Music for the Senses trail.[14][15]
  • Polo the Polar Bear (2016), a 2.5m tall, 6m long aluminum sculpture commissioned by New Bailey.[16][6]
  • Weaver Bird, a copper bird sculpture for Darwen Market Square (2018).[17][4]
  • Formula E replica (2021), a non-drivable replica of a Gen2 Formula E car constructed from single-use plastic, in collaboration with Envision Racing and Kids Against Plastic.[7][11]
  • Recover E (2023), a drivable Formula E race car constructed entirely from electronic waste, created in collaboration with Envision Racing; the project won the 'Most Inspiring Campaign' at the 2024 Race Media Awards.[11][18]
  • Commissioned in 2024 to repurpose a historic Venetian glass chandelier into a public art installation for Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 departures lounge, in collaboration with Manchester School of Architecture students.[19][20]

He has also contributed to exhibitions such as the Alcantara and Not Just A Label textiles experience in London (2018)[21] and the Glory Glory typographic art exhibition in London (2013).[22] Hopkins serves as an associate lecturer in product design and craft at MMU.[5] He has worked with clients including Bloomberg, Virgin, Habitat, Liberty, Heal's, Wallpaper*, Nestlé, and the MOBO Awards.[1][3]

Personal life

Hopkins is in a long-term partnership with Claire McDivitt, with whom he has two children. The studio's mascot, Gerald the dog, is a recurring symbol in his work.[1]

Awards and recognition

  • Best in Show for Furniture Design, Liverpool Design Show.[4]
  • Runner-up, 2008 Grand Design Awards.[3]
  • Shortlisted, Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2019 (Designer-Makers category).[2]
  • Shortlisted, Independent Creative of the Year, Manchester Culture Awards (2025).[23][24]
  • 2020 Northern Powerhouse Export Champion.[10]

His work has received coverage in publications such as DesignBoom, Wallpaper*, Creative Boom, JADED, and Manchester's Finest.[9][10][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Overcoming loss and why family comes first, with Liam Hopkins & Claire McDivitt". Creative Boom. 2020-03-08. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  2. ^ a b c d "Liam Hopkins". Arts Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Liam Hopkins. Love and soul in the making". Manchester's Finest. 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Darwen Market Square: Commission Announced with British Designer and Artist Liam Hopkins". The Shuttle. 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  5. ^ a b "Meet the Judges: Design Insider Awards". Design Insider. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  6. ^ a b "Liam Hopkins". The Sculpture Park. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  7. ^ a b c "Hard Craft: Artist Liam Hopkins gives waste a new purpose". Hagerty. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  8. ^ "Light Modulator by Studio Lazerian". Dezeen. 2008-12-14. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  9. ^ a b c d "MATERIAL OF CHOICE? CARDBOARD!". Design Insider. 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  10. ^ a b c "Lazerian founder Liam Hopkins on his modern craft philosophy". JADED. 2018-05-10. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  11. ^ a b c "Lazerian builds racing car entirely from electronic waste". Dezeen. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  12. ^ "Liam Hopkins Fills an Abandoned Building With 26,000 Square Feet of Cardboard". Interior Design. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  13. ^ "Paper City". Hull UK City of Culture 2017. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  14. ^ a b "wind-powered sculpture turns donated guitars into sonic art installation in manchester". designboom. 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  15. ^ "Manchester guitar trail and 'Cathedral of Sound' arrive in the city". Manchester Evening News. 2025-07-08. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  16. ^ "Manchester unveils starry polar bear sculpture in a whimsical celebration of winter". Inhabitat. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  17. ^ "Liam Hopkins Commissioned for New Darwen Market Square Art Pieces". Darwen Town Centre. 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  18. ^ "Recover E wins 'Most Inspiring Campaign' at Race Media Awards". Envision Racing. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  19. ^ "The glitzy piece of Manchester Airport's past set to shine again". Manchester Evening News. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  20. ^ "Architecture students to create new design for Manchester Airport's iconic chandeliers". Manchester School of Architecture. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  21. ^ "High-tech luxury: Alcantara and Not Just A Label launch a textiles experience". Wallpaper*. 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  22. ^ "Glory Glory typographic art exhibition". Creative Boom. 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  23. ^ "Manchester Culture Awards - finalists announced ahead of this weekend's prestigious awards ceremony". Manchester City Council. 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  24. ^ "Manchester Culture Awards 2025 - Winners and nominations 2025". Manchester City Council. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
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