London Craft Week Top Picks

BY Manchester Craft and Design Centre

03/05/19

 

Young woman at an eventOur Exhibitions and Events Coordinator and Craft Guru, Kaylee Jenkinson, looks ahead to London Craft Week with some must-visit exhibitions and happenings to go and see:

I’m excited to be visiting London Craft Week next week. Each year London celebrates exceptional craftsmanship through a programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops, and events in a huge variety of places. It’s always an inspirational day – and one that I tend to spend running around London clutching my map and notebook. A few things I’m particularly excited for (and will be attempting to pack into my 1 day visit!):

Coal Drops Yard

There’s all sorts happening at Coal Drops Yard for LCW – including workshops and installations in a week of what they describe as ‘new-fashioned crafts’. I’m particularly excited for Liverpool-based Granby Workshop’s installation – since investing in their Splatware Kickstarter in 2017 I’ve become obsessed with their ceramic pieces designed for everyday use.

Among many other things at Coal Drops Yard, I’m really looking forward to the BUAISOU installation celebrating Japanese indigo dye.

https://www.londoncraftweek.com/makers_partners_experts/coal-drops-yard#sthash.SYZuJe2u.dpbs

Craft Central: Exploring Wellbeing Through Making

Craft Central have a programme of talks, demonstrations and workshops under the theme of “Exploring Wellbeing Through Making” which look really interesting. Over the past few years we’ve really seen the importance of craft in wellbeing, and I’m looking forward to seeing Craft Central’s focus on it.

https://www.londoncraftweek.com/events/exploring-wellbeing-through-making#sthash.ITEBkSss.dpbs

Heals, Heal’s x Gifu Japanese Craft Market

A celebration of crafts from the Gifu Prefecture in Japan, this modern craft market will no doubt be a treasure trove of beautifully made Japanese pieces. It will feature ceramics, furniture, knives and the world famous Mino Washi paper – a real rare treat to see in the UK.

https://www.londoncraftweek.com/events/heal’s-x-gifu-japanese-craft-market#sthash.fOe10BNY.dpbs

Japan House, Living Colours: Kasane – The Language of Japanese Colour Combinations

Japan House has been on my wish list for a while now. This exhibition – described as “a forest of colour” – looks fascinating. It shines a light on the age old art of kasane – the creation of colour combinations.

https://www.londoncraftweek.com/events/living-colours-kasane-–-language-japanese-colour-combinations#sthash.IA02Hpuy.dpbs

The Future of Craft

I’ve loved every exhibition that I’ve been to at Oxo Tower Wharf. They’re always challenging, boundary-pushing, and exciting – and often fill me with ideas. ‘The Future of Craft’ includes new installations, exhibitions and displays – I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the latest work by Fung & Bedford and Richard McVetis.

https://www.londoncraftweek.com/events/future-craft-0

The Han Collection, Take a Moment: A Selection of Korean Crafts

Korean arts and antiques, calming ceramics, and Korean woodworks – what’s not to love?!

https://www.londoncraftweek.com/events/take-moment-selection-korean-crafts-han-collection#sthash.E6nV2UQM.dpbs