Origin 2007

'Song Thrush' (100x260x150mm) by Emily Jo Gibbs; Photo: Heine Schneebli, 2007

Origin: The London Craft Fair returned to Somerset House this autumn for another two week run.

The Crafts Council launched Origin in 2006 with an event that attracted 22,000 visitors and established itself as the most prestigious selling event for contemporary craft in the UK.

Origin 2007 brought together over 320 makers to the Edmond J. Safra Courtyard of Somerset House in a Ben Kelly designed pavilion. Disciplines included glass, ceramics, jewellery, metal, furniture, paper, basketry, wood and textiles and all were represented equally over the two weeks. Established makers and a new crop of rising stars showcased work, ranging from £20 to £20,000, which included embroidered urban vignettes, flock embossed ceramics and industrially smashed glass panels.

Origin provides a truly interactive experience of contemporary craft and an opportunity to learn more about the work, its origins and how to commission one-off pieces. Origin 2006 was a huge success and much of the positive feedback focussed on the unique experience of meeting face- to-face the makers of some of the most influential and innovative contemporary crafts currently being produced in the UK and internationally.” Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council

Notes to Editors

• The 320 exhibitors were selected from over 900 applications.

• The judging panel were: Claire Barrett (Editor, Grand Designs
Magazine), Norman Cherry (Head of School of Jewellery, UCE), Kate Day (Curator, Manchester Art Gallery), Terry Ellis (craft collector and Interiors Buyer for Beams Co. Ltd) and Laura Meyer (Buying Manager- Textiles, Liberty).

• Origin replaces Chelsea Crafts Fair, which was held at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London for 26 years until October 2005.

• Origin complements the Crafts Council’s other flagship gallery
selling event, COLLECT: the international art fair for contemporary objects, held at the V&A 25-29 January 2008.

• The Crafts Council is the national agency for contemporary crafts. The Crafts Council aims to position the UK as the best place in the world for making, seeing and collecting contemporary craft.

• The Crafts Council is funded by Arts Council England. The Arts Council works to get more art to more people in more places by developing and promoting the arts across England and acting as an independent body at arm’s length from government. For 2006 to 2008, Arts Council England have six priorities: taking part in the arts, children and young people, the creative economy, vibrant communities, internationalism and celebrating diversity.

Visitor Information

• Dates:
Week One: 2-7 October
Week Two: 9 -14 October 2007
Closed Monday 8 October for exhibition change-over

• Venue:
Somerset House, Strand, London

• Opening Times:
Tuesday to Friday 11am – 7pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am – 6pm
Late-night Thursday open until 9pm

• Tickets:
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster from 2 July
Book online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0870 160 2853
Ticket Prices: Single ticket £8, (£6 concessions). Advance booking £7 (£5 concessions)
One visit in each week £12 (£10 concessions). Advance booking £11 (£9concessions) Season pass (unlimited entry) £15

For images or other media enquiries about the Crafts Council please contact Jill Read, telephone: 020 7806 2549 or email: j_read@craftscouncil.org.uk or media@craftscouncil.org.uk