Last September I was invited to speak on craft at the V&A for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship TrustThe transcripts have just been put up online as a PDF here Or if you would prefer to read as plain text without pictures I’ll copy my bit below. Art, Craft, and Design:Cross-overs and Boundariesin the 21st CenturyIntroductory StatementGlenn Adamson: Good morning, everyone.…
Some of my work will be on show at Somerset House starting tomorrow. CRAFTED SHOWCASE The inaugural Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional showcase is an important retrospective and celebration of the work of some of Britain’s most talented craftmakers. Bringing together those who have been supported by Walpole British Luxury through the Crafted mentoring programme, the showcase provides a glimpse into the inner…
Last night I slept in a snowdrift, I loved it. It was a bit of a contrast to the rest of the day the Heritage Crafts Association held our annual conference at the V&A in London. There was me in my best suit and Jeremy West shoes on the podium, after a long but inspiring day I took the train…
William Morris is often sited as an inspiration for the first Labour Party Manifesto. Today many of us working in the traditional crafts feel as if we have been overlooked yet there are potentially great times ahead, hence the need for a Manifesto for Making. Not a manifesto for designing or innovating or being an artist simply for making. Yesterday…
Middleport Pottery is one of the best craft experiences I have had and a fascinating insight into a craft evolving into industrial manufacture. The pottery has a long history which is well documented, it was faced with closure and in 2011 was saved by the Prince’s Trust for Regeneration. The idea was not to keep it as a museum but…
Off to London tomorrow 4.30am start to judge the winners of the new national craft awards Then 3 days carving spoons in front of the masses at the Ideal Home Show and maybe if I am lucky selling some bowls. Come and say hello if you are down that way. If you miss me this weekend I will be there…
Today in the New York Times there is a good article on Philip Clissett Herefordshire chairmaker it gives some of the history but there is more to add so here goes….Philip Clissett was one of very many country chairmakers. The windsor chairmaking tradition around the chilterns is widely known but there were very many more chairmaking centres and small local…
Wooden bowls are very simple things but they also have the capacity to be very meaningful. This bowl was made by George Lailey “the last bowlturner” who died in 1958 and was the inspiration behind my work. It is a joy to use and all the nicer because it has already seen 60 years hard use. Wooden bowls when made…
I believe that music, dance and creativity should all be part of everyday life, not just as a passive audience but something you do. In some ways I feel recording whilst it has given us all easy access to great music has maybe cut the link from live performance and just doing it. The internet seems to be breaking down…
Look at these beauties that arrived int he post today. George Lailey was known as the last bowl turner. He worked at the small Berkshire village of Bucklebury and before Kate Middleton was probably the most famous person form the village. He made bowls up to his death in 1958. Lailey’s lathe and tools are on display at the Museum…
