London Craft Week 2020 Our pick of the must-visit talks, exhibitions and more. Plus, a guide to Pimlico Design District
A celebration of artisanal craftsmanship, London Craft Week, from 27 April to 3 May (londoncraftweek.com), is an opportunity to meet the makers, try your hand at specialist techniques or start your own collection. These are the highlights you won’t want t
WATCH Retrouvius X Greenweave
Designer Freya Walker of Greenweave is taking her use of waste textiles and clothing one step further. Setting up her hand loom at the Retrouvius HQ in Kensal Green, she’ll be weaving a new piece from salvaged materials found at the warehouse, including suede, papers and bookbinding buckram. The resulting work will be showcased over a tea-time conversation where Walker will discuss her approach to handweaving on 1 May. 1016 Harrow Road, NW10 (retrouvius.com).
EXPLORE ‘ Future of Craft’
Following its inaugural edition at Craft Week last year, the second instalment of exhibition ‘The Future of Craft’ promises to be even more expansive. A line-up of innovative and forward-thinking organisations, practitioners and collectives will showcase the latest talents and techniques at the Oxo Tower Wharf’s Bargehouse. Headline shows by Design-Nation and Future Icons will present a cross-section of design and craft-led businesses, ensuring crafts remain relevant, while there will also be talks, workshops and demonstrations. Bargehouse Street, South Bank, SE1 (oxotower.co.uk).
SEE ‘ Tiled’ at The New Craftsmen
This artisanal emporium is presenting tiled environments by Matthew Raw, who has collaborated with design studio Assemble on an Art on the Underground commission at Seven Sisters station; and works by Polly Fern, whose whimsical, illustrative designs (left) are inspired by 18th- and 19thcentury English artworks. Spanning furniture, artworks, tableware and lighting, each installation promises to deliver a unique take on the traditional art of tile-making while capturing the makers’ personalities. 34 North Row, W1 (thenewcraftsmen.com).
LISTEN Richard Brendon X Alex Eagle Studio
Designer Richard Brendon founded his eponymous design studio with the aim of preserving heritage techniques by marrying them with contemporary design. His latest series is a revival of English black glass, which will be launched at Alex Eagle Studio. Learn about this near-forgotten craft and free-blowing techniques used, in the talk on 28 April. 6-10 Lexington Street, W1 (alexeagle.co.uk).
COLLECT Handmade at Heal’s
Championing craftsmanship is in this high-street stalwart’s DNA. This year, the spotlight is on ceramics, with a collection from makers such as Bisila Noha and Lucia Fraser (plates, left). Enjoy live demonstrations or try Noha’s hand-building class on 2 May or Fraser’s abstract ink painting on 30 April. Tickets from £22. Tottenham Court Road, W1 (heals.com).