Living in a Material World

Makers have been chosen for their understanding of materials and a mastery of their chosen discipline. The exhibition highlights work by leading craftspeople who are both internationally regarded such as Hans Coper and Peter Collingwood, and highly influential figures that are less familiar outside craft circles, such as Mary Farmer and Richard Kell. With an array of hand-made works across a range of media - including glass, ceramic, wood, textile, jewellery and silver - the exhibition highlights the ingenuity and skill of contemporary makers, celebrating their knowledge, innovation and expertise. The works reveal how some makers revel in retaining the original quality of the material, whilst others explore the extent to which inherent qualities can be transformed. Living in a Material World responds to a resurgence in the craft movement, as shown by important events such as London Craft Week and the Loewe Craft Prize, and a greater understanding of the importance of the hand-made. However, it is also a difficult time with funding cuts threatening craft provision in universities and schools alike, making it more likely that skills are not passed on to the next generation. It is therefore an important time to encourage a growing audience to interact with the act of making by promoting and supporting important cultural institutions in this area such as the Crafts Study Centre. Living in a Material world runs from Monday 16 September – Friday 27 September 2024 at Connaught Street, London W2 2AF. We warmly invite you to visit the viewing exhibition which runs from 10:00 - 16:00 each day. We are also delighted to host a private event for London Design Festival members on Wednesday 25 September, 10:00 - 16:00 where you can meet our craft and design auction specialists and enjoy a curated tour of the works on display.