London Craft Week
returns with a belter line up of talks, events, open studios,
and exhibitions for design lovers to see across the capital
from 3 May 2017.
Showcasing exceptional craftsmanship through a
journey-of-discovery programme featuring hidden workshops and
unknown makers alongside celebrated masters, famous studios,
galleries, shops and luxury brands. Here’s Creative Boom’s top
pick of events not to be missed. Please note, many of our
suggestions require booking with limited places – so don’t
delay!
1. Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival
Image credit: Real to Reel = Terraforming by Juriaan Booij
Real to Reel, the UK’s first festival dedicated to craft and
moving image produced by the Crafts Council and
Crafts
magazine. Forty-four films covering a range of styles from
animation to satire, from documentaries to surreal art pieces
will be shown at Picturehouse Central. As diverse as the films
are, each looks at our relationship with materials and making
in different ways.
3 – 4 May 2017 from 18.30 at Picturehouse Central, W1D |
Find out more
2. Open Studios at the Goldsmith’s Centre
Inspired 2017, Table by Edward Wild, Beakers Starbright
enamelled beaker Kyosun Jung, Art it up beaker by Jane Short
& Malcolm Appleby, Silver beaker Lasse Baehring
The Goldsmiths’ Centre opens its doors to offer
behind-the-scenes tours of established jewellery and
silversmithing workshops and its training workspaces. Visitors
are able to observe young apprentices and young designers at
work.
3 – 4 May 2017 at Goldsmith’s Centre, EC1M | Find out more
3. Mulberry: The Passion of Making
Mulberry: The Passion of Making
Visit Mulberry’s flagship store and see craftsmen and
craftswomen from the brand’s two factories in Somerset
demonstrate the making of its iconic handbag styles.
3 – 7 May 2017 at Mulberry, Mayfair, W1S | Find out more
4. British Fashion Council hosts Ralph & Russo
British Fashion Council hosts Ralph & Russo
Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council talks to Ralph
& Russo Director, Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo about
their designs, building their brand, and the studio where
everything is made.
3 May 10.30-11.30 at Hotel Café Royal, W1B | Find out more
5. Experiments: Work of Young Craftsman of China at the China
Design Centre
Experiments: Work of Young Craftsman of China at the China
Design Centre
Curated by Caroline Cheng, this exhibition shows how artisans
keep their craft alive while making work that reaches beyond
tradition. There will be daily performances and demonstrations
including leather shadow puppets, handmade ceramics, and 3D
printing technology.
3 – 7 May between 10:00 and 17:00 at China Design Centre,
WC1E | Find out more
6. LOEWE: This is Home
LOEWE: THIS IS HOME
LOEWE: This is Home, will be installed on the fourth floor of
the iconic London department store Liberty and is curated by
Jonathan Anderson. The collection will show a range of objects
from across craft disciplines including canework, a star motif,
English carpentry, and knitted murals to depict craft within
the home.
Another highlight is a set of solid oak items designed by
Anderson and manufactured in Yorkshire, by the company of
Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, a fifth-generation furniture-maker
known for a signature mouse that is carved into every piece it
produces.
3 – 7 May between 10:00 – 20:00 at Liberty London, W1B |
Find out more
7. Royal School of Needlework Open Studio at Philip Colbert
Royal School of Needlework Open Studio at Philip Colbert
Inspired by the Post-Pop Art movement, artist Philip Colbert
joins forces with the Royal School of Needlework to create a
series of embroidered artworks in his signature style. The
artworks are produced by the Royal School of Needlework
throughout the course of the week at Colbert’s East London
studio.
3 – 5 May from 10:00 until 18:00 at Philip Colbert, E1 |
Find out more
8. On the Line: New perspectives on craft in Southeast Asia
Image credit: Nic Shonfeld
The British Council presents an exhibition, curated by Martina
Margetts, exploring craft through the practices of women in
Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. Featuring materials collected by
Royal College of Art students and local researchers during
recent residencies. Exhibition continues until the 17 June.
4-6 May from 10:00 until 1800 at The Aram Gallery, WC2B |
Find out more
9. Make Pigment Mixtures: Let’s Paint the House in…
Make Pigment: Let’s Paint the House in
Interior designer Rachel Chudley discusses pigment making with
colour expert Donald Kaufman. Her newly renovated house will be
the backdrop of this experience where attendees will learn
details of pigment making and the interiors skills required to
live in peace with colour.
7 May 2017 at 15:00, venue to be confirmed | Find out more
10. LEGO®: Build a Mosaic
LEGO®: Build a Mosaic
Duncan Titmarsh, the only LEGO® Certified Professional in the
UK, runs a LEGO mosaic class. Participants will make a mosaic
portrait to take home in this family friendly event. Duncan has
led previous builds including a life-size tiger cub
commissioned by Stella McCartney and an incredible Land Rover
commissioned Tower Bridge replica.
7 May 2017 from 08:30 until 12:15 at South Bank Centre, SE1
| Find out more
