London Craft Week

Last week London played host to creatives from around the world for the all encompassing London Craft Week.

Department stores, luxury retailers, small boutiques, markets, auction houses, museums, galleries, colleges and design organisations across the city pulled together to host a week long spectacle of events under the umbrella of craft.

An eclectic mix of known and less well known makers participated with a wide range of beautifully crafted objects - cricket bats, ceramics, jewellery, leather goods, silverware, prints, baskets, globes, sculptures and embroidery to name a few.

Displays, exhibitions, talks and workshops brought together creative minds, skilled hands and knowledge of materials, techniques and processes - new and old. 

Guy Salter, Chairman of London Craft Weak writes: 'I sense we are hungrier than ever to search out special things, people and experiences.  Not just for the buzz of discovery but also for knowing we are supporting thoughtful and sustainable processes, ancient skills, brave new thinking, and unsung and little rewarded talent'.

And in search of special things I sallied forth. I was keen to experience the essence of London Craft Week described by Salter. Thus I selected a cross section of venues to visit over three days. On the Wednesday - Sotheby's, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty. On the Thursday - Conran, Design Centre Chelsea and Studio Pottery London. On the Friday - City & Guilds Art School and Oxo Tower.

It was heartwarming to see big department stores lending valuable shop floor space to craft makers.  Fortnum & Mason partnered with Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) to curate an exhibition:  The Art of The Exceptional describing it as 'a celebration of all things handmade and British.'

Katherine Huskie's colourful, textured glass bowls and Mourne Textile's rustic handwoven blankets were part of the display.

                    Katherine Huskie

                   Mourne Textiles 

Liberty, famed for their celebration of craftsmanship partnered with The Crafts Council to present a selection of work by independent makers 'showcasing the range and breadth of contemporary craft in the UK today'.

Beautiful, functional pottery by Isatu Hyde and striking sculptural works by wood crafters, Ash & Plumb were, for me, highlights of the show.

                       Isatu Hyde

                        Ash & Plumb

Sotheby's devoted a sales room to shine a light on four outstanding British jewellery designers with pieces of their work available to buy on the Buy Now marketplace at Sothebys.com. 'There has never been a better time to celebrate the art of making fine gold jewellery. . . 'slow craftsmanship' is a growing trend . . .British hand-made fine gold jewellery is on the rise again.'

Outstanding jewellers, Castro Smith and Christopher Thompson-Royds were invited to submit pieces for the exhibition chosen for their 'impeccable craftsmanship and contemporaneity as they embrace and bring to the fore ancient techniques, develop new ones, creating unique and timeless mini masterpieces . .  .'

                   Castro Smith

 .                 Christopher Thompson-Royds

Design Centre Chelsea was the venue for Artefact - a contemporary craft exhibition for the interior design world with galleries exhibiting exemplary high-end sculptural craft pieces from all over the world.  Design Centre Chelsea also partnered with QEST and provided a platform for some of their makers to show their objects and demonstrate their skills.

A magical example of Hanbury Press' bespoke book binding caught my eye as well as Bryony Applegate's clever light designs. Captivating to watch, Bryony was demonstrating her skill live with absolute calmness and finesse. 

                      Hanbury Press

                      Bryony Applegate

Next on my tour was Studio Pottery London.  Studio Pottery London is a community studio and teaching work space for established potters or those who are keen to learn pottery. They invited Holly Tucker MBE founder of notonthehighstreet.com and Holly & Co to participate in an intimate talk about turning your passion into profit. Holly gave her audience some golden nuggets of inspiration: 'find your diamond within and try to make money out of it.'

City & Guilds of London Art School participated in London Craft Week with events including paper demonstrations and wood and stone carving competitions.  Competitors were invited to carve for eleven hours using hand tools only. Watching them totally absorbed in their work and chipping away on their blocks was simply wonderful.

                   Sarah Davis demonstrating the art of gilding on paper 

                      Stone carving competition at City & Guilds School of Art

Oxo Tower Wharf is a hub for contemporary designers. In collaboration with Design Nation and Future Icons they curated The Future of Craft featuring craft displays, installations, talks and demonstrations in Bargehouse. Superbly crafted objects looked aesthetically magnificent against the backdrop of the walls of this building pleasingly preserved in their raw, skeletal state.

Spellbinding was Anne McKenzie's installation of Himalayan birches painted onto handmade Japanese paper using meditative art practice. Striking were Gina Pipet's silks scarves, cushions and prints in kaleidoscopic colours.

                      Anne McKenzie

                       Gina Pipet 

The sheer depth and breadth of craft talent I saw at London Craft Week was truly remarkable. Specialist skills, processes, materials and disciplines were apparent throughout. Guy Salter writes: 'London Craft week is a response to a renaissance in the appreciation of creativity and craft; to the role of hand, head, unique skills and true talent.' Long may the renaissance last.