Frances Bardsley Visual Arts Centre
Twisted Grey Loop, Merete Rasmussen, 2009. Photo John Hammond 2009
The Crafts Council brings ground-breaking ceramics to the Frances Bardsley Visual Arts Centre in Romford as part of their ‘Craft Counts’ month.
From 23 September to 4 November, two CraftCubes will be on public display at this purpose built gallery space situated at the Frances Bardsley School for Girls. The chosen CraftCubes will show ceramic work by Merete Rasmussen with ‘Twisted Grey Loop’ and Michael Eden with ‘Wedgwoodn’t Tureen’
The Crafts Council’s CraftCube programme differs from a traditional exhibition format by offering a walk-in, immersive experience. On entering the cubes, visitors can see objects recently acquired for the Crafts Council Collection accompanied by audiovisuals exploring the maker’s studio and processes involved in making the work on display.
Merete Rasmussen’s ‘Twisted Grey Loop’ (2008), is shown alongside large-scale audiovisuals featuring panning shots of her studio and giving insight into her inspiration and the techniques used to make this spectacular piece.
As an established maker of functional, domestic slip-decorated earthenware, Michael Eden’s focus has shifted in recent years to the use of new technologies. His ‘Wedgwoodn’t Tureen’ (2010) is the result of a combination of drawing, 3D software, traditional hand skills, and digital technology. The audiovisuals in this CraftCube trace the journey from the iconic Wedgwood tureen used as a basis for the work, to the astonishing ‘Wedgwoodn’t Tureen’ that can be seen on display.
‘Craft Counts’ also features objects from the Crafts Council Handling Collection on display. The Handling Collection contains 477 objects from the early 1970s – 2010 and is intended to enable children to handle real and precious craft objects, imparting a sense of awe and curiosity and encouraging different learning styles. Year 9 pupils from the school who will be commencing their Creative and Media Diploma this year were invited to co-curate a loan box from the Handling Collection, with the result on show during this period.
—Ends—
For press images and more information please contact Gemma Hutchinson, Communications Assistant, Crafts Council on T: 020 7806 2540 or email media@craftscouncil.org.uk
Notes to Editors
• The Visual Arts Centre is a purpose built gallery and workshop space at the Frances Bardsley School for Girls in Romford. More information can be found at the Visual Arts Centre website http://www.fbsarts.co.uk
• For more information about the CraftCubes and how to hire them please visit the Collection & Exhibitions section of the Crafts Council website www.craftscouncil.org.uk or email: exhibitions@craftscouncil.org.uk tel: 020 7806 2533.
• The Crafts Council’s goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft.
We believe that craft plays a dynamic and vigorous role in the UK’s social, economic and cultural life.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make, see, collect and learn about craft.
We believe that the strength of craft lies in its use of traditional and contemporary techniques, ideas and materials to make extraordinary new work.
We believe that the future of craft lies in nurturing talent; children and young people must be able to learn about craft at school and have access to excellent teaching throughout their education.
• 12% of the UK population visited a craft exhibition in 2009/10, and 18% participated in craft activity in the same year (DCMS/ACE Taking Part data update August 2010).
• More than 2.8 million visits were made to the Crafts Council website in 2009. To find out everything you need to know about where to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk
• The Crafts Council is supported by Arts Council England. Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives. As the national development agency for the arts, it supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts. Between 2008 and 2011, Arts Council England will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
