I was privileged to be part of a Farnham delegation joining a brilliant event at the V&A today, as part of London Craft Week 2025.
Stephen Knott from the Crafts Study Centre, and Loucia Manopoulou (previously curator of the galleries at UCA, and with whom we were delighted to collaborate on various projects, while she was in that role, and who I’m quoting with the title of this entry), were among the speakers. There were also several representatives from Chinese arts institutions involved in the World Craft City programme, including: Gyrecraft, Quanzhou; Yrellag Gallery, Liling; and Crafts on Peel, Hong Kong.
The World Craft City programme (Farnham was the first place in England to be given this very special status) provides opportunities for craftspeople and organisations across the world to share learning with one another. The meet-up this morning showcased the dedicated efforts of craftspeople and organisations in England and China, to preserve and celebrate various specialist crafts, including: the near-extinct East Sussex art of trug-making (a special kind of wooden-frame basket); fine metal making in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter (which in 2015 made headlines for producing a pair of £200K stilettos for Beyonce!); Zanhuawei headdresses (see picture); and the ancient musical style of Nanyin.
What I found most fascinating, and inspiring, though, was how each of the delegates in turn spoke about the opportunities craft offers for connection. This could be: small groups of people making work together (as at Creative Response); the passing down of expert craft skills through generations; the bringing together and exchange of learning and ideas that happens through exhibitions of work; and the global connections and opportunities for cultural exchange – between what one of the Chinese delegates referred to rather beautifully as a “star map: of craft cities across the world – made possible by institutions like the UNESCO world craft cities programme.
There was also attention given to the ways in which making craft is an opportunity for each of us, as individuals, to make connections, “between hand and heart”, to “play”, and explore new things. Also, how, in slow-making, repair, and paying close attention to the materials in our hands, we have an opportunity to gain new perspectives and develop new ideas. All of this reflects what we seek to offer through our brilliant therapeutic community arts sessions at Creative Response. I am so grateful to all of the artists in our amazing team for their skill and generosity in facilitating these for us, for the benefit of all in our community.
