London Craft Week is an annual event that showcases exceptional craftsmanship thanks to its program which allows the visitors to discover what happens “behind the scenes” in the master artisans’ hidden workshops where masterpieces are brought to life. The fair shares with the world the faces of the talented yet unknown makers, alongside celebrated craftsmen, well-known studios, art galleries and luxury brands. This year’s edition is coming closer and closer to gift us with mesmerizing handcrafted pieces this spring. Don’t forget to follow it when it’s doors finally open from 8 t0 12 May.

Some of the first events you will be able to enjoy when London Craft Week starts will be: “Masters of Making: Making Sustainable Furniture”, “In Conversation: Gareth Neal”, “Heal’s x Gifu Japanese Craft Market” and “Behind the scenes at Sebastian Cox: Creating Wealden a new collection of tactile tableware”.

“Masters of Making: Making Sustainable Furniture” – Talk, 9:30h, 8 May

The Odd Chair Company’s Design Director James Cook will lead a breakfast talk about the history of furniture making, to celebrates the company’s 50 years of hand-crafting furniture and hand-making upholstery.

This family business prides itself on making by hand fine, sustainable and comfortable furniture, offering clients an exquisite service from start to finish. The detailed furniture is created with passion and dedication by experienced craftsmen at their own workshops in the North West of England, who own upon 100 years of cabinet making and upholstery precious know-how.

Since their frames are made from solid timber of the highest quality, each dowelled, glued, screwed and corner blocked, they’re able to assure its durability for 40 years, therefore creating sustainable handmade pieces built to last a lifetime.

“In Conversation: Gareth Neal” – Talk, 15:00h, 8 May

Gareth Neal is a talented innovator in the contemporary craft and design world, combining traditional crafting techniques with new technologies. He will discuss the place of technology in contemporary crafts.

“Heal’s x Gifu Japanese Craft Market” – Exhibition, 10:00h, 8-20 May

The Heal’s x Gifu Japanese Craft Market will showcase artworks from several independent makers from the Gifu Prefecture in central Japan, never seen before in the United Kingdom. Gifu’s culture will also be celebrated with a series of workshops and events. The exhibition will continue until Monday, 20 May.

Preserving the finest craftsmanship traditions and independent makers, the Heal’s Modern Craft Market returns to Heal’s Tottenham Court Road from 30th April to May 20th 2019. This year the focus is on crafts from Gifu Prefecture in central Japan.

One of Japan’s most charming regions, Gifu is home to precious ancient traditions of art and craft with both traditional and modern makers. To discover the 13 exhibitors who will be selling their art pieces at the market, the Heal’s curators visited the region to immerse themselves in the rich culture. The result is a special selection of the best of Gifu including ceramics, furniture, knives and of course the popular Mino Washi paper.

“Behind the scenes at Sebastian Cox: Creating Wealden a new collection of tactile tableware” – Open Studio, 10:00h, 8-11 May

To celebrate London Craft Week, the award-winning design studio and workshop will open its doors to exclusively share the making of their debut tableware collection. “Wealden” comprises richly textured yet simple pieces made from Kentish clay pressed between Kentish chestnut moulds.

They will also organize daily demonstrations in the workshop so the visitors can see how this first collection of ceramics from the Sebastian Cox studio is made.

In the studio and showroom, you will also be able to find a luxuriantly colored spring installation of the new “Barker” collection: pieces made in English ash, simple forms and jewel tones. Each piece is playful yet equally beautiful.

Stay with us to find out more about contemporary art, design and craftsmanship.

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