What to see at London Craft Week 2021

Two side-by-side interior photos - The first photo is of a room with a large painting of multiple people, a chandelier, three round dark wood tables, a long seat, a chair and a piano. And the second photo is of a space with multicoloured marble patterned wallpaper, a wooden chair with books on it and a wooden cabinet with various items on top — (Image credit: press)

A host of designers, artists and makers are taking part in London Craft Week (4 –10 October 2021) across the capital this week. From Floor Story revealing what goes into the making of its rugs, to artists at the Sarah Myerscough Gallery considering the future of interiors, and Crafting a Difference holding an exhibition at the Argentine ambassador’s official residence, enjoy our guide of what to see and where to see it.

Future Icons at Residency

View of a space with multicoloured marble patterned wallpaper, wood flooring, a wooden chair and a wooden table with a small black teapot and mug on top

During London Craft Week, 14 makers from craft collective Future Icons will pop up, with temporary retail solution Residency, for a showcase in London’s Islington. Makers from the initiative, which celebrates original design and intricate craftsmanship, will be showcasing work from disciplines including ceramics and embroidery, as well as holding craft demonstrations. The event runs alongside an exhibition by marble wallpaper artist Nat Maks, who will be unveiling her new tapestry created from wallpaper offcuts.

4 – 10 October 2021, Residency, Unit G12, North Arcade, 129E Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QP
byresidency.com

Mac Collins for Floor Story

Interior view of a room with grey flooring, a black, blue and red rug, off-white coloured walls, a light grey sofa, green plants in grey pots, wall art, shelving with black and white sculptures, tables, books on the floor, a light wood chair with a horizontal oval-shaped back and a view of the stairs

To mark London Craft Week, east London rug company Floor Story is unveiling a collaboration with Mac Collins (winner of the Emerging Design Medal during London Design Festival 2021). Visitors are invited to discover two new rugs, handcrafted in Nepal from Tibetan wool and viscose, as well as take part in a live Q&A with Collins chaired by Crafts Council creative director Natalie Melton. Visitors are invited to go behind the scenes and observe the processes that go into making a rug.

4 – 9 October 2021, 5 Hackney Road, London EC1M The talk between Mac Collins and Natalie Melton on 6 October, at 6pm
floorstory.co.uk

‘Layers’ by Alexandre Arrechea for SoShiro

Interior view of a room with white walls, a window, wood flooring, black and white framed artworks on the walls and concrete pieces on black and white plinths by Alexandre Arrechea at SoShiro

Art, craft and design gallery SoShiro will play host to ‘Layers’, the first UK solo show from Cuban multimedia artist Alexandre Arrechea. Arrechea considers the social and political implications of architecture in a show that takes inspiration from his native Havana, considering the structure of a building in photo collages, watercolours and sculptures, as well as furniture.

4 October – 13 November 2021, SoShiro, 23 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8DZ
soshiro.co

‘Outside In’ at Sarah Myerscough Gallery

Close up view of a pile of carved wood pieces that look like big, smooth stones

Sarah Myerscough turns her gaze to future interiors in ‘Outside In’, an exhibition that unites artists putting a contemporary spin on ancient themes. Through their work using sustainable materials – including wood, willow and grass – artists reflect on the blurred lines between the inside and outside worlds.

1 – 27 October 2021, 1 White Hart Lane, London SW13 0PX
sarahmyerscough.com

Fritz Hansen

View of a light coloured, armless chair in a space with a dark patterned wall and wood flooring

During London Craft Week, Fritz Hansen is paying tribute to Danish designer Poul Kjærholm with an exhibition including rare archive designs. Fritz Hansen will also be using the occasion to celebrate 65 years of the designer’s ‘PK22’ chair, with the unveiling of a limited-edition version available in two colours until the end of the year. On 7 and 8 October 2021, an insight into the creation process will be offered by weaver Lene Iversen, who will be demonstrating the skills necessary to hand-weave the wicker ‘PK22’, a task she usually undertakes from her home on the Danish island of Endelave.

4 – 9 October 2021, 78 Cowcross Street London EC1M 6EJ
fritzhansen.com

Crafting a Difference

View of a gold table with various pieces of art on top in different colours. The wall behind is light coloured and there is a gold wall mounted mirror above the table

Crafting a Difference will be supported by organisations including Crafts Council, QEST, Loewe Foundation, Michelangelo Foundation, Cockpit Arts, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour and Artegian for its show held at the Argentine ambassador’s official residence during London Craft Week. The exhibition, curated by Andrea Harari and Brian Kennedy, will unite over 200 works in a multitude of materials from 30 artists and five galleries, with each gallery curating a site-specific installation in one of the rooms. Visitors are invited to meet the artists, who will be discussing their work.

4 – 10 October 2021, Argentine ambassador’s Official Residence, 49 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QZ
Booking is essential at craftingadifference.com

Hannah Silver is a writer and editor with over 20 years of experience in journalism, spanning national newspapers and independent magazines. Currently Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*, she has overseen offbeat art trends and conducted in-depth profiles for print and digital, as well as writing and commissioning extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury since joining in 2019.