Insiders Guide to London Craft Week – April 22
Category: News
Guy Salter Selects
Guy Salter, Founder of London Craft Week Selects his top events:
I wish I could attend everything. With over 120 events that’s now a little tricky. I’m particularly pleased that twenty percent of our participants are international this year. Karen Bit Vejle is a Danish artist who cuts the most beautiful, ornate and romantic works from simple white paper, so I’ll be at her event at Skandium. Likewise, Wang Dongling, who is recognised as one of China’s greatest living calligraphers, will be creating his monumental ‘mad’ cursive script calligraphy on the floor of the Great Court of the British Museum and is a must-see. And of course closer to home, I’m not missing the super-talented makers who are part of the Crafted exhibition at Fortnums. And even though I have two of Eleanor Lakelin’s pieces in my library I never tire seeing more of them. Finally on Saturday I will be happily wandering along the Pimlico Road taking in all the activities. Last year I lost a memorable game of Chinese chequers to Rose Uniacke’s husband David.
I’m so pleased to be working with The Dorchester, our hotel partner for London Craft Week. I’m really looking forward to trying the new LCW Cocktail and of course eating at The Grill in-between events.
Insiders Guide to London Craft Week – 22 April
Hole & Corner Presents Marvellous Mechanica
Creating a mechanised maker space worthy of Heath Robinson, drop in to watch, talk and help artists Martin Smith, Nik Ramage and Jim Bond – alongside a group of emerging makers from Art, Design and Architecture with Plymouth University – to build a site-specific kinetic installation. Also on display will be some of the best examples of automata and mechanised works from the brilliant Cabaret Mechanical Theatre collection.
Hole & Corner Presents Piano Craft
This two-day event in celebration of the piano will feature renowned piano-makers Steinway & Sons, pioneering music researchers from Plymouth University. Piano Craft will reveal the extraordinary craftsmanship, virtuoso skill and imagination it takes to build, prepare for performance, play and explore one of the most iconic instruments in the world.
Three Galleries
Chain at Gallery SO
A series of interlinking loops joined together, the chain belies the simplicity of its construction. This group exhibition of gallery and invited international artists looks into narratives surrounding the chain, its symbolism and construction.
Vessel Gallery Odd Matter
Vessel Gallery presents, in partnership with Oxo Tower Wharf, a solo exhibition of new work by studio Odd Matter, a design studio driven by material exploration and concept.
Collective Genius – Masterpieces form the Devereux & Huskie Glassworks
Angel Monzon, Director, Vessel Gallery, will be talking to James Devereux and Katie Huskie about Collective Genius – Masterpieces from the Devereux & Huskie Glassworks, an exhibition of 15 of the most talented and senior glass figures, all of whom have previously worked at James and Katie’s Bath based studios, and have never been brought together before.
Three of our Strategic Partners
Crafted at Fortnum & Masons, Walpole
Curated by Peter Ting, makers from the 2016 Walpole Crafted mentoring programme including Silvia Weidenbach, Insley & Nash, Alexandra Llewellyn Designs, Eleanor Lakelin, Theresa Nguyen, Struthers London and Mark Tallowin will showcase their making process alongside a display of limited edition pieces, available to buy.
Craft Across Continents, the Heritage Crafts Association
The Heritage Crafts Association’s conference celebrates outstanding craftsmanship in other countries as well as recognising heritage crafts and excellence in the UK, offering an opportunity to find out more about traditional skills. Speakers include Ritu Sethi from India, Eivind Falk from Norway and Britain’s Kate Malone amongst others.
Reel to Reel, the Crafts Council
Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival will take place on the 4 and 5 May at Picturehouse Central – each evening showing a different programme of films. – See more at: http://lcw-xk7yr.projectbeta.co.uk/events/real-reel-craft-film-festival#sthash.NoDqXZgw.dpuf
Sponsor events
Una Burke
Award-winning leather artisan Úna Burke, known for her designs for The Hunger Games franchise, discusses her with Lexus. Also on show is a dress created by Úna Burke using the leather from a Lexus CT interior.
As Part of the Grosvenor Series:
Linley
To celebrate 30 years of traditional and innovative craftsmanship LINLEY presents a new piece of art furniture inspired by the magic of Islamic geometry, a new exhibition of Michael Eden’s 3D sculptures and David Degreef – Mounier at work in the LINLEY flagship showroom.
Howe
Howe reveals the making of one of the company’s signature pieces, the Salon Chair, explaining its history and giving an exclusive preview into the craftsmanship behind the frame, upholstery, details and finishing.
Insiders Guide to London Craft Week – 15 April
The Grosvenor Series
Window with a View – Pimlico Road
For one day the major art, antique and designer specialists on Pimlico Road, London’s premier design district in Belgravia, host craftsmen in their store windows to demonstrate the mastery behind the brands. Including Ossowski, Daylesford, Rose Uniacke, Howe, Linley, Soane, and Jamb.
7 May, 11.00am-3.00pm, Booking not necessary, free
More information
Traditional and Modern Craft at Linley
To celebrate 30 years of traditional and innovative craftsmanship LINLEY presents a new piece of art furniture inspired by the magic of Islamic geometry, a new exhibition of Michael Eden’s 3D sculptures and David Degreef – Mounier at work in the LINLEY flagship showroom
3-7 May, 2.30-3.30pm, Booking not necessary, free
More information
Carving Marble at Jamb
This event enables visitors to view, close up, a piece of exquisite Italian Breccia marble being carved alongside the original 18th-century piece.
7 May, 11.00am- 4.00pm, Booking not necessary, free
More information
Galleries
Akiko Hirai at Flow Gallery
A specially created tea hosted alongside a private view of ceramic work by Akiko Hirai, followed by a talk with the artist and Flow Gallery director, Yvonna Demczynska. Tea will be served in tableware designed and made by the artist.
7 May, 3.00pm-4.30pm, 20 places, £8 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Contemporary International Ceramics and Design at Officine Saffi
Officine Saffi presents a show of three international ceramics artists, Kati Tuominen Niittyla, Simon Zsolt Jozsef, Luca Tripaldi, and woodmaker Sergio Sangalli providing a view of current ceramic and craft trends and anticipating future developments.
3 – 7 May, 10.00 – 18.00, Booking not necessary, free
More information
Five Ceramicists at Sladmore Contemporary
View a mixed exhibition of five of Sladmore Collect’s ceramicists on the first floor including new pieces to the gallery by New York-based sculptor Kathy Ruttenberg, and on the ground floor, assemblage sculpture by Edouard Martinet.
3 – 7 May, 10.00am- 9.00pm, Booking not necessary, free
More Information
Behind the Scenes
Saddlery with the Kings Troops
Staff Sergeant Morris, one of only two Master Saddlers in the army, demonstrates the unique military saddle-making process, followed by a tour of the grounds, including the riding area and gun park.
3 May, 10.00- 11.30am, 15 places, £20 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Tiara Making with Bentley & Skinner
Adrian Lawrence talks about the art of tiara making, exploring the stages from the design to the final formation of the piece, before inviting participants to visit one of Bentley’s on-site workshops.
6 May 3.00 – 4.00pm, 15 places, £15 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Ultra-Modern Making at Makerversity
Makerversity founder Tom Tobia presents a cross-section of makers who work with new technologies. See how modern materials and technologies are used to create cutting-edge designs.
4 May, 50 places, £8 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Max Fraser Selects
Max Fraser, design writer and editor of London Design Guide, selects the top five events he’ll be signing up for:
One of the great joys of craft is watching and learning the processes involved in the making of an object, something society is detached from but that increasingly piques our interest. London Craft Week is a celebration of that and the choice of events has certainly grown in 2016. Here’s a few that have caught my eye:
Hole & Corner presents Marvellous Mechanica
Hole & Corner magazine is presenting an intriguing kinetic installation described as ‘worthy of Heath Robinson’. Who can resist that? Working with a handful of artists plus a group of emerging makers from Plymouth University, I’m expecting the installation space to become a mania of mechanised makers!
Weaving at Ace Hotel
The processes involved in weaving tapestries and rugs is long and laborious yet surprisingly methodical. Demonstrating this is apprentice weaver from Dovecot Tapestry Studio, Ben Hymers, who will create a site-specific piece for the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch using a traditional handloom. Meanwhile, Daniel Harris and Martino Gamper will weave with dye.
Crafting Cars with Rolls-Royce
At the luxury end of the market, I’m excited about the demonstrations of woodworking and leather working skills that go into creating a bespoke Rolls-Royce motor car, taking place at their Mayfair showroom for one day. I had the privilege of being toured around their factory once and will never forget the extraordinary care and attention that goes into making one of these cars.
Ultra-Modern Making at Makerversity
Of course, as well as sustaining traditions, craft today should embrace modern materials and technologies. Demonstrations of this will happen at Makerversity where its founder Tom Tobia will spend a couple of hours presenting a cross-section of makers working at the cutting edge.
Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival
The Crafts Council and Crafts magazine are staging their first annual festival dedicated to craft and the moving image. With so much of the making process now being documented with film, this festival will provide a platform to celebrate making, makers, materials and processes. You can enjoy this from the comfort of a cinema seat – a chance to rest amid the action of London Craft Week!
Caroline Issa Selects
Fashion consultant and publisher, Caroline Issa of Tank Magazine selects her top four events:
Lace Making at Eres
I’ve always wished I could understand how the intricate and beautiful French lace is made, how the detail, the forms and delicacy is created by hand and by machine and hopefully here’s my chance.
Wang Dongling at British Museum
Chinese calligraphy is so poetic and beautiful – a chance to get to see this master in action will be a treat.
The Craft of Miniature Painting at the Art Workers’ Guild
What an ancient craft that I always marvel at in the museums – excited to see how it’s done and approached if not by little elves with tiny hands!
Harris Tweed Hebrides at Huntsman & Sons
We’re having a real tweed moment in fashion so this will be fascinating to hear from the best tweed makers on how they create and best use the beautiful fabric.
Insiders Guide to London Craft Week – 5 April
Glass
The Perfumer and the Glass Blower
Lyn Harris and Michael Ruh discuss the marriage of crafts to create a one off, sensual piece.
Sat 7 May, 2.00-4.00pm, 30 places, £15 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Danny Lane
Visit the studio of artist Danny Lane where you will see his work in progress revealing the extraordinary techniques and materials used to create large-scale sculptures.
Fri 6 May, 30 places, 2.30-3.30pm, £8 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Tailoring
Patrick Grant at Norton & Sons
Patrick Grant, Director of Norton & Sons & Judge on BBC2’s ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’, talks through the process of designing and developing new tweeds from cloth to garment, with Brian Hinnigan, Design Director of Johnstons of Elgin.
Weds 4 May, 11am-12pm,15 places, £15 + vat
More information | Book tickets
The Dinner Suit at Henry Poole
Gain insight into the craft of the dinner suit. See demonstrations of different processes from tailors Keith Levett and Tom Pendry alongside Henry Poole’s archives and pattern books.
Thurs 5 May, 11.00 – 17.00, 15 places, £15 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Interiors
Hand Woven Interiors at Vanderhurd
Designers Christine Van Der Hurd and Kit Kemp explain how they work with artists and craftsmen from around the world.
Fri 6 May, 11.00am, 30 places, £20 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Commissioning Luxury Interiors with Helen Chislett
Helen Chislett, founder of London Connoisseur, hosts a conversation with interior designer, Karen Howes of Taylor Howes, about the benefits of commissioning site-specific, large-scale pieces for super-prime properties, featuring Tom Palmer, Aryma marquetry, Sophie Coryndon and Helen Amy Murray.
Tues 3 May 10.00 & 5.30, 30 places, £8 + vat
More information | Book tickets
The Craft of Wallpaper at The Geffrye Museum
An exhibition of wallpapers by 11 of the UK’s most innovative makers sponsored by Graham & Brown.
Tues 3 – Fri 7 May, 80 places, £8 + vat
More information | Book tickets
Dinner
Wood, Fire & Food at CRAFT
Sharing their passion for ancient techniques, Stevie Parle cooks a five-course dinner over wood, while Robin Wood lathes bowls and Barn the Spoon hand whittles spoons which guests can take home as part of the ticket cost.
Saturday 7 May 7.00-8.30pm, 30 places, £110, Book via www.craft-london.co.uk
More information | Book tickets
Carving & Knives with Mark Hix
Chef Mark Hix hosts an exclusive carving masterclass and dinner in the kitchen library at Tramshed in conjunction with Flint & Flame. Knife maker Ben Edmonds joins the conversation and demonstrates how to make a one-off knife.
Thursday 5 May, 18.00 – 21.00 via www.chickenandsteak.co.uk, 12 places, £175
More information | Book tickets
Collectors Programme Launched
London Craft Week launched its first invite-only VIP Programme last week with 11 events for over 100 collectors and buyers. The programme includes a small number of one-off and intimate experiences, handling objects from museum collections, special access to private residences and exclusive dinners, listed below. For more information email VIP@londoncraftweek.com, please also include brief details of your collecting and buying interests.
Commissioning Jewellery at Cockpit Arts with Janice Hosegood
The Complete Gentleman’s Outfit hosted by Simon Crompton
Buying Bespoke: A Tour of the Row with Andy Barnham
Sarah Griffins’ Collection: A Viewing Over Afternoon Tea
How to Build a Watch Collection at Vachern Constantin
British Museum: Handling Session with Alison Britton and Jessica Harrison Hall
V&A Ceramic Collection: Private Inspection of Pots with Julian Stair
The Collectors and Craftsmen: At Home with Tim Gosling
Second Floor Studio & Arts: A Private Tour of Furniture Studios and to meet David Gates, Sebastian Cox, Jan Hendzel and Bertram Whitford
Conversation & Drinks: David Linley & Michael Eden
The Chef & Ceramicists: A Porcelain Dinner at Spring Restaurant with Skye Gyngell
Booking Now Open
The London Craft Week programme is now live. Tickets are already selling fast so see the programme section for details on how to meet some of the world’s most respected makers and artists, where to see world-class fragrances being developed scent by scent, diamonds being cut and polished, porcelain being hand painted, silver being shaped or Chinese calligraphy being performed live.
Here are a few highlighted events to get you started.
The London Craft Week Team