Now heading into its fourth year, London Craft Week (9-12 May) sees studios, showrooms and creative spaces open up across the capital in celebration of modern-day making and heritage artisans. For 2018, there is an expanded international reach within the 70 exhibitions, 41 workshops, 87 talks and 61 live demonstrations taking place. In addition, 275 independent makers are getting a moment in the spotlight; ‘[we are] celebrating the unsung heroes and heroines’ says Jonathan Burton, festival director of London Craft Week. From architectural open studios and innovative paper installation to riveting ceramics and nifty knife making, we bring you the top events not to miss...
Jochen Holz at Flow Gallery
10 May- 30 June; 1-5 Needham Road, W11 2RP; www.flowgallery.co.uk
In a solo exhibition at Flow Gallery, titled ‘Superficies’, Jochen Holz will be capturing the essence of his innovative glass blowing technique of lampworking. The German designer hones in on the structural properties of borosilicate glass, and will host a talk on the sinuous works on 9 May.
Loewe Craft Prize exhibition
4 May – 7 June; 224-238 Kensington High St, Kensington, W8 6AG; www.craftprize.loewe.com
Spanish fashion brand Loewe show its 30 finalists for the second edition of the craft prize at London’s Design Museum. The multidisciplinary award sees artisans from 18 different countries come together in a celebration of contemporary craft. A jury of 10 industry experts will gather to announce the winner on 3 May.
New Craftsmen
9 – 12 May; 34 North Row, W1K 4DG; thenewcraftsmen.com
The Mayfair gallery is turning to the world of illustration for its craft week showing this year. The exhibition will feature works from Laura Carlin, Aude van Ryn and Jo Waterhouse with sculptures, bowls and block-printed fabric peppering the space, alongside a hand-blocked wallpapers, chosen from Peggy Angus’ archive.
The Room Service at Plain English
9 May; Plain English, 28 Blanford Street, W1U 4BZ; www.theroomservice.co
Room Service is a new online platform giving guests an opportunity to buy artisan products from their favourite hotels, restaurant and commercial spaces. Launching at the Plain English kitchen showroom with a collection of ceramics, the event will include an immersive experience with Dan Cox, former head chef at Fera at Claridge’s and L’Enclume.
The Flipside at The Old Selfridges Hotel
Until 20 May; 1 Orchard Street, W1H 6JS; www.selfridges.com
Concepts of ‘radical luxury’ culminate at this new exhibition by Selfridges that features a concrete maze of darkened rooms with installations by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Google Pixel 2 and Thom Browne. Read more here.
Edition by Another Country
9 -12 May; 18 Crawford Street, W1H 1BT; www.anothercountry.com
Inside its Marylebone showroom, contemporary craft furniture brand Another Country will showcase works by the likes of Michael Ruh and Blenheim Forge in a show that presents craft from knife making to glass working.
Reiko Kaneko at SCP House of Ceramics
9 -13 May; 135 Curtain Road, EC2A 3BX; scp.co.uk
Stoke-on-Trent-based Reiko Kaneko’s craft spans from fine bone China to jewellery, and long-time collaborator SCP will be showcasing her work alongside a live demonstration to present a universe of ceramics at its Shoreditch space.
Assemble: Open House at Sugarhouse Studios
11 -12 May; Sugarhouse Studios, 19 Collett Road, London, SE16 4DJ; www.assemblestudio.co.uk
From the many open studios on offer, Turner Prize winning collective Assemble showcases its multidisciplinary space that will allow visitors to delve into craft that spans art to fine furniture making. The space will also host clay workshops by Collective Matter, and a handmade ceramics stand by Assemble collaborator Granby Workshop.
Beyond Surface by G.F Smith and Kody Kato
9 – 12 May; 27-28 Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DH; www.gfsmith.com
Architect Kody Kato tests the boundaries of GF Smith’s advanced Takeo paper with an innovative installation using folding and strengthening. The installation, created in collaboration with Made Thought, highlights the technical aspects of the paper brand’s wares that go beyond the fold.
Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival
8-10 May; Great Windmill Street, Piccadilly, W1D 7DH; www.craftscouncil.org.uk
In a mix of documentaries, animations, music videos and talks, the Real to Reel Film Festival gives visitors a cinematic entry into the world of makers. Over three nights, guests can experience Alan Kitching’s life in letterpress, a story of a London potter and more.
INFORMATION
London Craft Week runs from 9-13 May. For more information on how to book events, visit the website
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