These ceramic designs by Freya Bramble Carter will be on display as part of 300 Objects at London ... [+]
Now in its sixth year, London Craft Week once again looks to shine a light on the talented makers and artisans across the city. Beginning on the 30th September and running until 10th October, the event normally takes place in May, however, this year’s edition was postponed due to COVID-19. With social distancing guidelines adhered to, visitors will be able to enjoy a combination of physical and digital installations taking place throughout the capital across the 10-day schedule.
With the economic downturn experienced this year, it is a crucial moment for the craft community to rally together and support each other as we emerge into a post-pandemic world. As recent reports from the Crafts Council and Heritage Crafts Association found, many individual artisans and small workshops are uncertain of their future ahead. Many rely on physical workshops for income so, with a lockdown imposed and consumers moving away from non-essential purchases, maintaining business throughout this period has been extremely challenging. Hence the role of London Craft Week this year is more important than ever in supporting these skillsets which have formed the backbone of the modern economy. Coupled with this, the values of buying local, and buying less but better, are fundamental to the implementation of a sustainable future ahead.
For those planning to visit London, or for those at home, be sure to make the most of the packed schedule of events and help celebrate the heritage of the UK craft scene and the joy that can be found in partaking in it. Here are ten highlights to look out for:
Create Day Digital Programme, 10th October 2020
A new global initiative celebrating the creative processes and mindsets of makers and artisans all over the world, Create Day is a 24hr online event set up by London Craft Week allowing viewers access into a vast array of workshops and studios. Through live-streaming and pre-recorded films, the event will begin in Asia before moving across to the UK and Europe and concluding in North America. A selection of the work shown will then be featured in a curated exhibition, held after Create Day at a later date.
Create Day is a new digital event allowing visitors the unique opportunity to virtually access the ... [+]
300 Objects: An Inaugural Exhibition for Modern Day Patrons Quadrant Arcade, 82 Regent Street, London - 30th September 2020 - 10th October 2020, 11:00 - 17:00
Another new exhibition for this year’s event, 300 Objects showcases a series of works from emerging makers and established artists, curated by industry figures such as Martin Brudnizki, Yinka Ilori and Charlotte Taylor. Makers and designers such as Simone Brewster, Darren Appiagyei and Kusheda Mensah are included in this stellar line up of talent, with each piece shown available to purchase.
The eye-catching work of Boris de Beijer will be displayed as part of 300 Objects at London Craft ... [+]
GreenWeave Benk + Bo, 1st October 2020 - 2nd October 2020, 10:00 - 15:00
Hosted by multifunctional venue and cafe Benk + Bo, in partnership with London-based weaver Freya Walker, GreenWeave is a live interactive weaving demonstration which showcases the way Walker uses discarded and waste materials, transforming them into a variety of designs and accessories. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own textiles for Walker to incorporate into a large-scale piece which will be displayed within the Spitalfields location.
GreenWeave is an interactive event hosted by weaver Freya Walker, located at Benk + Bo as part of ... [+]
RÆMADE Life Raft Project RÆBURN, 2nd October 2020 - 4th October 2020, 12:00 - 18:00
With RÆBURN’s signature style and renowned use of surplus fabrics turning heads within the fashion world, this event is one not to miss. Visitors will gain an in-depth ‘behind the scenes’ experience at the workshop with a guided tour, while witnessing the craft first hand as the team reinvent a life raft into a variety of new designs. Visitors also have the chance to customise and purchase items to take home.
Christopher Raeburn works with surplus materials to create his show-stopping designs alongside ... [+]
Syrian Block Printing Workshops with Zena Sabbagh for Ishkar Goldfinger Factory, 3 October 2020, 10:00 - 12:00, 13:30 - 15:30
The opportunity to learn the skills of block printing from master artisan Zena Sabbagh will be a unique and incredible moment for visitors to also hear the story behind her craft. When Aleppo was bombed, Sabbagh fled to Beirut leaving many of her possessions to rescue her valued collection of wooden stamping blocks. Her work shines a light on this wonderful Syrian craft and her story is incredibly inspiring. Due to the recent events in Lebanon and COVID-19, Sabbagh will be hosting the workshops virtually, in collaboration with Ishkar, while participants will be provided with the materials needed to create a set of tea towel designs as well as the opportunity to bring their own textiles to print onto.
Artist Zena Sabbagh will be virtually hosting a print-making workshop in collaboration with Ishkar.
Turning Green: How Can Ceramics Clean Up Their Act? Online Panel Discussion with The Crafts Council, 8 October 2020, 18:30
Hosted by The Crafts Council and Crafts Magazine, this digital discussion brings together a panel of visionaries and makers from the industry to discuss its environmental impact and what the future holds in overcoming the challenges we all face. From circular design thinking to glazes made from waste, a variety of topics will be discussed within the subject giving us a fresh look at the opportunities which lie ahead.
Granby Workshop have created a ceramics range using discarded and waste materials.
The Art of Repair Workshops with Wagumi Wagumi, 2nd October 2020, (12:00 - 13:30), (15:00 - 16:30), (17:00 - 18:30) / 4th October 2020, (12:00 - 13:30), (15:00 - 16:30), (17:00 - 18:30)
These popular Kintsugi workshops are back again for this year’s London Craft Week and allow participants to try their hand at this beautiful age-old Japanese craft. Through repairing broken ceramics with gold, metallic powders and sealants, the craft celebrates the visible repair lines rather than trying to disguise them. Led by Kintsugi practitioner Iku Nishikawa, this unique experience is a ticketed event taking place in Wagumi’s Oxo Tower store.
Wagumi will be hosting Kintsugi workshops again as part of London Craft Week, giving visitors the ... [+]
Future Icons Presents Unit 70, Burlington Arcade, 1st September – 30th October 2020, Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm (Sunday & Monday by appointment only)
Presenting unique creations from 14 artisans, the Future Icons pop-up highlights the dedication and skill behind each piece. Including makers such as Rob Brain, Jo Davies and Rebecca Knott, the two-floor gallery, located in the iconic Burlington Arcade, displays handmade interior accessories alongside intricate woodwork and textile designs. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet the designers on an appointment basis.
Located in the iconic Burlington Arcade, Future Icons brings together the work of 12 individual ... [+]
The Natural Room Sarah Myerscough Gallery, 30th September 2020 - 2nd October 2020, (10:00 - 18:00), 3rd October 2020, (10:00 - 16:00), 5th October 2020 - 9th October 2020, (10:00 - 18:00), 10th October 2020, (10:00 - 16:00)
With tours of the exhibition hosted by designer Peter Marigold, the showcase highlights the use of natural materials and his collaborative project with Japanese master craftsman Tadanori Tozawa. The design and artworks on display incorporate materials such as jute, sisal and willow, engaging viewers in conversations around sustainability and our connection to surrounding natural ecosystems. The Natural Room is a timely reminder of our actions as consumers and present a beautiful contrast to the fast-paced trends and fashions which have dominated many industries to date.
The Sisal Bench by Fernando Laposse is one of the pieces on display at The Natural Room exhibition ... [+]
Ways of Seeing The New Craftsmen, 30th September 2020 - 8th October 2020, 11:00 - 18:00 (not open Sunday 4th October)
Hosted by The New Craftsmen, Ways of Seeing is a collaborative project showcasing the relationship between makers and interior designers. Working with three studios: Maria Speake (Founder of Retrouvius), Emma Burns (Senior Design Director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler) and Sasha von Meister and Tom Bartlett (Directors of Waldo Works), the Mayfair showroom showcases three individual room sets featuring pieces from The New Craftsmen makers collections.
The New Craftsmen showroom will be showcasing three curated room-sets as part of London Craft Week.
A full schedule of the London Craft Week events can be found here.
