I got my copy of Crafts magazine in the post this morning. Crafts is a contemporary craft magazine published by the British Crafts Council. It’s a great place to see new work from international craftspeople and as well as lots of exhibition reviews and listings. This issue came with a free supplement on the Crafts’ Council’s upcoming ‘Collect’ fair. Collect is an art fair that brings together international galleries representing over 300 contemporary makers and it’s on in London this weekend!
This year there are thirty seven galleries that will exhibiting at the Saatchi Gallery. The Crafts Council of Ireland and the National Craft Gallery will be exhibiting a number of Irish makers. This is an amazing opportunity for Irish craftspeople to be seen by international buyers and collectors. There are ceramic artists such as Sara Flynn and Jack Doherty as well as the amazing furniture of Yaffe Mays and Nest Design. I couldn’t find any Irish jewellers or silversmiths exhibiting this year but if I’ve overlooked someone please let me know.
As well as the main fair there will also be a number of other attractions such as the new Project Space where artists and designers will be collaborating and creating new pieces to complement the work on display in the main halls. They will also have another area dedicated to a selection of films by some of the exhibiting makers. This is a great addition to the fair to give the public a glimpse into the practice of contemporary craftspeople. The other focus of the show this year is the promotion of new and emerging makers with around one third of exhibitors being ‘first timers’.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to see all this great work in the ‘flesh’ but I’d love to hear from anybody who makes it to the Saatchi this weekend!
Thank you, Eileen, for again bringing me up to date on a whole world of beauty which was previously beyond my ken.