Discover outstanding British and international craftsmanship during this year’s edition of London Craft Week, with over 300 events taking place throughout the city. With less than a week until the festival launches we’ve put together a selection of LCW talks highlights to help you navigate the programme.
Find out more about the lively discussions taking place during LCW 2022 below, and don’t miss the full line up on our Programme page.
Image: Heritage of London
Monday 9 May
From 11am to 5pm, Heritage of London Trust’s director Dr Nicola Stacey is joined by designer Kit Kemp MBE at The Soho Hotel as they speak to three makers: model-maker Isabella Gilding, expert gilder Sue Lee and Peter Campling, who has been working to restore stained glass for over 40 years. Book now.
At 2pm, designer and painter Alan Dodd explores the origins and techniques of mural and trompe l’oeil decoration, illustrated with examples of his work at Spencer House and elsewhere, with creations ranging from Gothick dining rooms to Pompeiian ceilings and rustic ruins. Book now.
Be-Spoke presents a live panel discussion featuring gallerist Shiro Muchiri; Maria Cheung, Head of Interiors, Squire and Partners and Kate Maestri, London based architectural glass artist. Together with series host Adriana Paice Kent of Woven Spaces, they consider different aspects of, and approaches to, the commissioning process. Book now.
At her pop-up at Old Spitalfields Market, illustrator and print designer Sabina Savage discusses her creative process, from storytelling to placement print. Book now.
In a talk and podcast recording at Mortimer House at 7pm, renowned jewellery historian and host of the podcast ‘If Jewels Could Talk’, Carol Woolton, explores the many myths and magic behind the creation of some of history’s most talked-about pieces. Book now.
Image: Crafts Council, photo by Simon Mills
Tuesday 10 May
The Dorchester is collaborating with Paris-based art consultancy, VISTO, to commission original pieces by contemporary British artists. At this exclusive event at 4pm, get a sneak peek of some of the pieces, the inspiration behind the collection, and an introduction to some of the talented artists commissioned for the project. Book now.
Join Anya Hindmarch, founder and CEO of her eponymous brand, in conversation with Sara Grady and Alice Robinson, founders of Grady + Robinson, and Jimmy Woodrow from Pasture for Life for a discussion on land, animals and leather at 6pm. Book now.
At 6pm, one of Morgan Motor Company’s senior designers, Thomas Brainwood, will also be taking part in a live talk compared by Morgan owner and friend of the brand, Dave Burt. Listen as Thomas talks through his own journey in car design and the company’s commitment to craft and tailoring. Book now.
Savile Row tailoring is thriving like never before, with suits, jackets and trousers taking starring roles in Hollywood and British films. From 6 to 9pm, join a talk to hear how tailors Cad & The Dandy create characters rather than costumes. Book now.
Join ‘An evening with Chris Hill’ at Professor Jimmy Choo’s prestigious new London Fashion Academy at 6pm, to hear from one of the world’s most eminent craft academics in the footwear industry. Book now.
To mark the launch of the May/June issue of Crafts magazine and the opening of the Crafts Council’s new exhibition Gaining Ground, the Crafts Council Gallery is hosting a discussion at 6.30pm about how traditional craft practices can help repair our ecosystems and societies. Book now.
Image: Goldfinger
Wednesday 11 May
At 11am and 3pm, Royal Academy of Music curator of instruments Barbara Meyer and the workshop team present workshop demonstrations that introduce the fascinating history of stringed instrument making. Book now.
Planque presents the ceramic artworks of potter/chef Alisdair Brooke-Taylor. From 5 to 6pm, Planque’s head sommelier James Lewis guides guests on an exploration of the unique connection between each wine and their terroir, while discussing with Alisdair his process and approach to creating. Book now.
As a parallel to Asako Shiroki’s exhibition in the Daiwa Foundation Japan House gallery, Graham Ellard and Stephen Johnstone present their film ‘Pattern’, which features Shiroki at work. The talk takes place at 6pm and is followed by a drinks reception. Book now.
The Mills Fabrica hosts a conversation with Dezeen, the biomaterial innovation company Modern Synthesis and Renewcell, creators of Circulose®, a new natural material closing the loop on fashion. Join them at 6.30pm for a discussion on their explorations and experiments in material innovation and its applications, from furniture to footwear. Book now.
Goldfinger hosts a panel discussion at 6.30pm, ‘From Tree to Table’. The discussion is chaired by Roddy Clarke, a journalist and speaker striving towards a circular economy, focusing his work on what true sustainability really means today. Book now.
At 6.30pm, Robertaebasta London hosts Caterina Licitra-Ponti for an event dedicated to the great master of Italian design, Gio Ponti, discussing his life and legacy. Book now.
From 7 to 10pm, The Beaumont hosts an intimate dinner and discussion with DeART’s Massimo de Munari, designer and creator of exquisite humidors, as well as other experts from the world of the finest cigars. Book now.
Image: Cox London
Thursday 12 May
In this online event at 2pm, Ikuko Iwamoto demonstrates how she creates her dotted, thorn and spiky surface decoration with porcelain, clay and slip, as well as showing slip-casting techniques. In association with the Royal Society of Sculptors and Cavaliero Finn. Book now.
At 3pm, join Museum of the Home director Sonia Solicari, artist Barnaby Barford, ceramicist Rich Miller and market specialist Marijke Varrall-Jones to celebrate FiredUp4. This charity brings together 50 artists to raise funds for pottery studios for young people across the UK. Book now.
From 5.50 to 7.30pm, discover the art of using colour in the home with Fromental and Martin Moore. Co-founder Tim Butcher shines a spotlight on the creation of decorative wallcoverings, while Martin Moore’s design team demonstrates bespoke colour in luxury kitchen design. Book now.
At 6pm, Anthropologie hosts block printer Molly Mahon, co-founder of fashion retailer East, Penny Oliver and Founder and Designer Lucinda Chambers, in conversation with journalist Cosmo Brockway, for a talk about the art and history of block printing and how it’s used in the 21st century. Book now.
At Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Dr Barbara Lasic chairs an insightful talk by Martin Levy, director of H. Blairman & Sons. From 6pm, Martin discusses collecting and the market for the Arts and Crafts and shares his passion for antiques. Book now.
Tom Faulkner, celebrated maker of metal furniture, hosts an exhibition in his Chelsea showroom of FIVE – a new silver and metal collective creating contemporary sculpture and objects. At 6pm, join a talk with Tom and Ane Christensen, one of the UK’s leading contemporary makers in metal. Book now.
Is there a way that technology can be married with craft skills to the advantage of both maker and product? Join a discussion with Kam Ce Kam and EDGE at 6pm. Book now.
Fedrigoni Paper exhibits installations from the Fabriano Paper Pavilion, including artwork from Maria Pina Bentivenga and Gianna Bentivenga – especially curated by printmaker Umberto Giovannini. Speak with the book authors, exhibition curator and artists involved at 6pm. Book now.
Chaired by David Nicholls, Deputy Editor of House & Garden, Chris Cox will be joined by three industry experts: Adam Hills (Retrouvius), Sarah Myerscough (Sarah Myerscough Gallery) and interior designer Victoria Davar (Maison Artefact). The event guarantees to provide a fascinating insight into how design is created, curated and presented in interiors, by some of our leading exponents of craft. Book now.
From 7pm, join entrepreneur and founder of Not On The High Street, Holly Tucker MBE, in conversation with Studio Pottery London artistic director Gregory Tingay and studio director Lucy Attwood as they discuss how to turn passion into profit. Book now.
ISHKAR presents an exhibition and afternoon in conversation with celebrated British artist and former president of the Royal Academy of Art Sir Christopher Le Brun and his son, ISHKAR co-founder Edmund Le Brun. Book now.
Image: British Museum
Friday 13 May
Rolls-Royce’s artisans offer a rare insight into the world of the leading luxury marque via a LinkedIn stream at 1pm. During the session, the artisans share the design process, influences and inspiration behind their creations. Find out more.
At 1pm, join Nancy Johnston, Tengri’s CEO and founder, and Campbell Carey, Huntsman head cutter and creative director, for an intriguing conversation about cuts and rare cloth, charting a journey from the steppes of Mongolia to Savile Row. Book now.
The V&A welcomes three glass artists for this inspirational panel discussion. Hear from Anthony Amoako-Attah, Laura Quinn and James Maskrey as they showcase their work before discussing their inspiration and processes with V&A senior curator Reino Liefkes. Book now.
At 5.30pm, Mary-Ann Ochota chairs an expert panel at The British Museum celebrating the goldsmiths of the Stonehenge era and the beautiful objects they created. Book now.
From 6 to 7.30pm at Morley College, accomplished fashion designers and founders of À La Disposition, Lynda and Daniel Kinne, explore the wonder of Venice Carnival with their talk ‘Crafting the Past: Costuming for Venice Carnival’. Book now.
Image: Royal Pahang Weave Foundation
Saturday 14 May
The 300-year-old craft of silk weaving originates in Pahang, Her Majesty Queen Azizah of Malaysia’s royal seat and the most expansive state of the Malayan Peninsular. Join Her Majesty at 12pm for a roundtable discussion exploring this ancient craft. Book now.
At Studio Voltaire at 2pm, designer James Shaw will be joined in conversation by London-based writer and curator specialising in graphic design, Emily King. James discusses how his work offers a new way of thinking about the creation of objects and the resources around us, confronting the notion of ‘waste’ to develop new, beautiful materials. Book now.
From 2pm, visit City & Guilds of London Art School for a free talk and tasting with Fabal Lager in the Courtyard. Book now.
Image: Vigour + Skills
Throughout the Week
From Monday 9 to Saturday 14 May, Vigour + Skills is hosting a series of talks during London Craft Week with their community of makers in ceramics, leather, jewellery and rush weaving and journalists including Ginnie Chadwyck Healey and Jessica Bumpus. Find out more.
Artefact is a contemporary craft fair at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Broadening specialist knowledge, the ‘Conversations in Craft’ programme offers insider insights from the craft industry’s leading lights. Featuring renowned experts, from gallerists to makers and curators, and chaired by writer and ‘Material Matters’ podcaster Grant Gibson, it delves deeper into the world of contemporary craft. Book now.
Over the weekend, the Art Workers’ Guild will showcase the wide range of craft disciplines represented by their members with a series of talks providing insights into the specialist skills involved in print-making, leatherwork, intricate small-scale textiles, ceramics, jewellery and much more. Book now.
Second Floor Studios & Arts invites everyone to come to the Deptford Foundry on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May to take part in the highlight of their annual programming – Open Studios weekend. Meet and celebrate SFSA’s membership at varying stages of their careers with talks running throughout the weekend. Book now.
Featured Image courtesy of Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
Sign up to our newsletter below to get the latest London Craft Week news and curated content delivered straight to your inbox.
