During a crowded spring calendar of design fairs, London Craft Week (11-17 May) stands out as a beacon for those who value the handmade. Now in its 12th edition here are the places, makers and events on our shortlist.
Pimlico Road Series: Handcrafted rattan from Soane
PIMLICO DESIGN DISTRICT
Arguably the hub of the week, artisans will be in residence at showrooms all along Pimlico Road. Be sure to pop into And Objects, Cox London, Nina Campbell, Robert Kime, Rose Uniacke, Soane, and The Lacquer Company, plus The New Craftmaker where Studio Amos will be presenting a new collection. Also keep your ear out for creative conversations: Luke Irwin and Speronella Marsh will be talking shop with Hatta Byng; de le Cuona will host a panel discussion on colour psychology; Volga Linen will chat about folkloric floral design with Pelican House; and Edward Bulmer will dive into the allure of natural pigments with artist Caroline Ross.
Speronella Marsh at work; Edward Bulmer paints
And while it’s easy to discount a luxury fashion label’s move into homeware as little more than a brand extension, JW Anderson’s new Pimlico shop, opened by designer Jonathan Anderson in December, is brimming with antiques and artisan-crafted pieces.The deeply personal assortment nods to his love of novelty, curiosity and even humor, and pays homage to Anderson’s Irish roots along with icons like Josiah Wedgwood and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. You’ll find bronze paperweights crafted by Pomarius studio, willow baskets by Eddie Glew, and nostalgic tableware by Nicholas Mosse (including “the pig mug” which has become an obsession among the staff at House & Garden). Also be sure to pop into the Conran Shop in nearby Sloane Square for an installation of Tunisian ceramics.
Sculpture installation by THEM Outdoors. Photographer: Edmund Dabney
SOUTH OF THE RIVER
8 Holland Street has taken over two townhouses in Kennington for an immersive domestic experience including pieces by ceramist Nicola Tassie, whose work we adore. Also zip over to the Garden Museum (just 5 minutes by taxi) to see an installation by THEM Outdoors, a brilliant collective of outdoor furniture, sculpture, and planters by British makers which launched just last year. And if you haven’t seen Paint! Pattern! Print! The Textiles of Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell at the Fashion & Textile Museum yet, do make your way over to Southwark as well.
Decorative artist Mel Campion; Handblown glass at Paul Smith
MAYFAIR
There are so many exciting things happening at Sotheby’s this year! They’ve once again partnered with FiredUp4, a charity that provides ceramics classes to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Among its auctions and events, they will host the 3rd annual Secret Ceramics sale which is always intriguing as it features work by an anonymous mix of leading and emerging makers for a single fixed price. We’re also keen to see the inaugural House & Garden Craft Prize Showcase (the winner will be revealed on 11 May with all shortlisted works on view) and the Festival of Craft on 13 May.
From there, head south to Paul Smith to see British Glass, an exhibition of works commissioned by five British glassblowers as part of the foundation’s new ‘British Makers’ design grant. Or head north to Albion Nord to see Campion & Daughter’s mind-blowing work with seashells.
Swing by Emma Louise Payne’s townhouse, Atelier 76 in Paddington, for another showcase of contemporary craft in a residential setting—think leatherwork, weaving, glass, ceramics, woodwork and metalwork.
Then carry on to Leighton House in Holland Park for a textile installation (and a plaster workshop on 16 May); to the William Morris Society in Hammersmith to visit the designer’s former home (and an Indian woodblock printing workshop on 12 May); and to Pitzhanger Manor Gallery, the former home of Sir John Soane in Ealing, for an exhibition on pattern maker Marthe Armitage.
Slow Ways exhibitor: Lorna Singleton Workshop
EAST LONDON
Head to the art’otel Hoxton for what is arguably the ultimate celebration of British craft: Our Common Ground is a show of work by makers whom Freddie Armstrong and Joe De Ferranti, founders of the newly formed Slow Ways Studio, met along a 1,300-mile walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats last year. Their journey was a mission to document and map Britain’s endangered crafts in support of Heritage Crafts and The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, and pieces will be on view from 5-30 May. Pair this visit with a film at the Barbican as part of its craft-focused documentary series, The Old Ways, running through 16 May.
Find a map of all the events (there are so many more) here.