PRIVATE LIVES Martha Freud

or collectors who have always hankered for an original Freud but maybe haven't quite had the means, now's the chance to own one. A piece, that is, by Martha Freud, the latest in a long line of over-achievers to publicly show her creative wares.

Martha, 28, was born in Battersea, London, in her mother's bed. She emerged into the world, already firmly on the map thanks to a family tree that includes great-great-grandfather Sigmund (founder of psychoanalysis), grandfather Sir Clement (broadcaster, one of the first TV chefs), great-uncle Lucian (artist), uncle Matthew (P.R. guru, married to Elisabeth Murdoch), aunt Emma (broadcaster and editor, partner of Notting Hill screenwriter Richard Curtis), and cousins Bella (fashion designer) and Esther (writer). Are you keeping up?

Martha grew up in London, and after completing a foundation course at Chelsea College of Art and Design and obtaining a degree in product-and-furniture design at Kingston University, she dipped a toe into the fashion world, designing products and props for Issa. "I converted surfboards, golf bags, roller skates, even a London black taxi, with Issa prints," says Martha. "And then my sister got ill. And everything changed."

Overnight, Martha quit the fashion whirl to spend time with her sister Natasha, who had suffered a brain hemorrhage. "Along with many other things, I realized that life's too short to not do what you're really passionate about."

While Natasha recovered, Martha got a studio by the canal in West London and started experimenting with driftwood, metal, and porcelain (cue Freudian-slip puns). Her first solo show was at Paul Allen's Hospital Club, and she sold works from it to shoesmith Nicholas Kirkwood and Countess Caroline Spencer. At this year's London Design Festival, Martha showed her light objects, porcelain butterflies, and "word cups" outdoors at the Camley Street Natural Park.

Having the Freud name must surely resemble being born into a brand laden with expectation. "I'm aware of the advantages my surname has, but I work incredibly hard and certainly don't rely on nepotism. However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel pressure to achieve," says Martha. "I once sat next to a man on an eight-hour plane journey, and as we were landing he spotted my surname on the immigration card and said, 'Oh my God, you're a Freud—we could have had the most interesting conversation.' I was 11 years old."

ALICE B-B

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