Cornish Guardian (St. Austell & Fowey)
Three Cornwall-based female artisans who have nature at the heart of their work have been demonstrating their considerable talents for London Craft Week
THREE female Cornish artists showcased their craftmanship at a major event in London last week.
Sian Cornish, founder of botanical dye studio Lancaster and Cornish, demonstrated her work with fellow Cornwall-based artisans Megan Fatharly and Fiona Chivers.
London Craft Week took place from May 13 to May 19, celebrating exceptional craftsmanship and the art of making.
The three artists all have nature at the heart of their work. From Sian’s botanical dyeing on silk to Megan’s tin-embossing workshops inspired by botanical wonders and Fiona’s watercolours capturing Cornwall’s landscapes, their practice reflects a deep connection to the natural world.
Sian was part of the Create Academy team of tutors based in retailer Fortnum and Mason’s event space. It joined forces with Create Academy, which provides creative courses online, to present a week of workshops themed around creating handmade ‘tablescapes’ – table arrangements incorporating different decorative elements.
Participants in her workshop were guided through the art of botanical dyeing on silk using Fortnum’s teas, showcasing the beauty and sustainability of natural plant dyes and the ease of dyeing with that quintessentially English drink.
“Sian is drawn to the links between disciplines, and the invisible line between art and science, as a way to understand the really ‘big’ things in the context of our everyday”, said an event spokesperson.
“Her work as a natural dyer evolves with the seasons, and she often uses ancient recipes for natural plant-based colours, infused with romance and a little bit of magic, to create colours from the landscape flora. Her family history in textiles stems from cotton weavers in the Lancashire mills and silk-sellers in Manchester”. Megan ran two workshops at the Natural History Museum, where participants discovered the art of tin-embossing while drawing inspiration from the intricate details of natural forms.
“Megan utilises traditional techniques and manipulates different surfaces to play with texture and layering”, the spokesperson said.
“She plays around with various ways of bringing fragments together, and this includes collage and drawing. She’s inspired by the mundane intricacies of interiors, hidden spaces and elevating forgotten memories”.
Fiona’s presentation, Art, Nature, And The Creation Of Calm, was delivered at the Odd Chair Company in Pimlico. “Raised in Oxford, Fiona’s journey from award-winning theatre set designer and performer to renowned painter in Cornwall has been one of artistic exploration and discovery”, the spokesperson said.
“Her stunning watercolours, inkwork and fine art prints beautifully capture the essence of her surroundings, reflecting her constant search for new adventures and her deep inspiration drawn from the Cornish landscape”.
Sian said: “We were thrilled to be a part of London Craft Week 2024 and to represent Cornwall’s vibrant artisan community.
“This event provides a wonderful platform to showcase the beauty and sustainability of botanical dyeing on silk, tin-embossing and the remarkable artistic talent that Cornwall has to offer.”
The annual London Craft Week, held in venues across the capital, offers a platform for artisans from around the world to showcase their talent and skill through workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations and talks highlighting a wide range of traditional and contemporary crafts.