Making it
Jessica Doyle focuses on an initiative to promote craftsmanship in the design world, and gives a round-up of other news and events.
Not so long ago, the concept of a 'craft festival' would not necessarily have brought to mind notions of luxury and glamour. However, the recent resurgence of interest in the handmade and the unique has seen contemporary makers begin to shed the more staid image of craft and come to the fore . To help showcase the work of these makers on a large scale, Guy Salter has set up London Craft Week, which runs from May 6 to 10.
Guy, whose background is with luxury brands such as Duchy Originals, Laurent-Perrier and Asprey, sees it as an opportunity to highlight the more glamorous side of contemporary craft. 'We want to put really talented makers and exceptional craftsmanship at centre stage,' he explains. The hope is that the event will eventually be on par with London Design Festival and London Fashion Week. While established events such as the Crafts Council's Collect (craftscouncil.org.uk) - where ceramics by Kate Malone will be on show - and the Cockpit Arts Open Studios (cockpitarts.com) will come under the LCW banner and serve as key destinations, individual makers around the city will also open their doors. 'This is a moment where the spotlight is on the maker,' Guy says. 'Too often I feel that brands are taking over from how things are made, and I think the consumer increasingly wants to know how a piece is created and the materials used. Our approach is to make that experience interesting, fun and stylish.' For more information and to book into events, visit londoncraftweek.com.
Highlights from London Craft Week
May 7
Seven makers tell the stories behind works they have created inspired by their Mayfair surroundings, at The New Craftsmenin North Row thenewcraftsmen.com
May 8
Glassblowers Max Lamb and Jon Lewis give a talk at the Wellcome Trust about the Thomas Heatherwick sculpture, which they both worked on. wellcome.ac.uk
May 8-9
Rattan weavers Michael Gregory and Phil Ayres give a demonstration at Soane in Pimlico Road. soane.co.uk
Highlights from London Craft Week
May 7
Seven makers tell the stories behind works they have created inspired by their Mayfair surroundings, at The New Craftsmenin North Row thenewcraftsmen.com
May 8
Glassblowers Max Lamb and Jon Lewis give a talk at the Wellcome Trust about the Thomas Heatherwick sculpture, which they both worked on. wellcome.ac.uk
May 8-9
Rattan weavers Michael Gregory and Phil Ayres give a demonstration at Soane in Pimlico Road. soane.co.uk
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