London Craft Week: Fell in Love With the Art of Craftsmanship

Wouldn’t you love to have a unique piece of art in your living room, handcrafted with great care and love? Well, you can because London Craft Week is back for its 10th edition, taking place from May 13th to 19th, 2024, across the capital. This annual festival showcases the best of craftsmanship from around the world, bringing together celebrated and emerging artists, makers, and designers. London Craft Week highlights the importance of creativity, passion, and skill, offering a curated programme of events that include exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and panel discussions. Read more on London Craft Week: Fell in Love With the Art of Craftsmanship

Main image on the left by Marie Deshayes

Hand & Locke Pastel Tones Watercolor Easter Brunch Poster

For many years the idea of ‘craft’ in the art world was almost seen as ‘dirty’ as something for local ladies and retirees to engage with. Yet thankfully that dismissive attitude is long gone.

London Craft Week’s significance lies in its ability to bridge the gap between heritage and contemporary craftsmanship. It emphasizes the dedication and expertise required to create beautiful and functional objects, providing a platform for both established artists and new talents. This celebration of craftsmanship is essential in an age dominated by mass production, as it underscores the value of unique, handmade items.

Image by Marie Deshayes

Events during London Craft Week are hosted in various iconic venues across London, including leading museums, galleries, studios, and shops. This year’s programme features over 250 events, allowing visitors to explore different parts of the city while engaging with the vibrant craft community. The festival attracts a mix of participants, from renowned masters to promising newcomers, creating a rich tapestry of experiences for everyone.

One of the standout events of London Craft Week 2024 is “Secret Ceramics,” a unique exhibition at SoShiro Gallery in partnership with FiredUp4. This charitable initiative features 100 single-stem vessels created by leading artists, influencers, and graduate talents. The twist? The creators of the works remain anonymous until after the pieces are sold.

Image by Marie Deshayes

All vessels are sold at a fixed price of £300, offering buyers the chance to potentially acquire works from renowned creators like Kate Malone, Hitomi Hosono, and Aneta Regel without knowing it beforehand. This anonymity adds an element of surprise and ensures that the focus remains on the craftsmanship. Cultural influencers such as Zandra Rhodes and Kit Kemp have also contributed their creations to the collection.

Image by Marie Deshayes

The funds raised from “Secret Ceramics” will support the opening of a new FiredUp4 ceramic studio in White City. This studio aims to provide young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to engage in ceramic art, fostering creativity and skill development.

Kate Malone running a clay session at Inspire, Chorley. www.firedup4.com

Adding to the excitement, another remarkable event took place: Cromwell Place LATES x London Craft Week. Held at Cromwell Place, this event offered a unique opportunity to connect with art. The rich programme included exhibitions, interactive workshops, artist talks, and gallery tours, making it a truly immersive experience.

Image by Marie Deshayes

Notable exhibitors at Cromwell Place included Van Cleef & Arpels with their ‘Poetry of Time’ exhibition, Lehmann Maupin showcasing ‘Loriél Beltran – To Name the Light‘, and Sundaram Tagore Gallery presenting ‘Fields of Vision: Contemporary Photography‘. Additionally, Stair Sainty Gallery and Taste Contemporary contributed to the diverse showcase with their respective exhibitions. London Craft Week exhibitors featured prominent names such as Homo Faber with their showcase ‘Today’s Masters Meet Tomorrow’s Talents‘, Lloyd Choi Gallery unveiling their ‘Hidden Gem‘, and Soluna Art Group with their exhibitions ‘Light to Shadow’ and ‘Mass and Void’. Vessel Gallery also joined the lineup with their exhibition titled ‘Ethereal Nature‘.

Image by Marie Deshayes

London Craft Week celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship that enrich our lives. By offering a platform for artists and makers to share their passion and skills, London Craft Week engages the public in the creative process.

Another notable event, Future Icons Selects, made a triumphant return this year during London Craft Week following its standout debut in 2023. Set to be the largest showcase of contemporary crafts for 2024, Future Icons Selects took over the Oxo Tower Wharf’s industrial Bargehouse, featuring over 50 artists from various craft disciplines and multiple continents.

Image by Marie Deshayes

Welcoming private collectors, interior designers, architects, retailers, global brands, and galleries, Future Icons Selects aims to highlight working artisans and create a platform for them to sustainably grow their businesses and preserve craft skills. The event included a drinks reception on May 15th from 18:00 to 20:30, with the exhibition running from May 15th to 19th, open daily from 12:00 to 18:00 at the Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf.

Image by Marie Deshayes

If you enjoyed reading London Craft Week: Fell in Love With the Art of Craftsmanship, find out more at Londoncraftweek.com here and why not read Live and Love The Art of Craft with Rolls-Royce

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