Every year, awards at Origin celebrate the best in contemporary craft. This year we are proud to announce the following awards which will be presented at the show, with more to follow soon.
The Thomas Lyte Modern Heritage Award
The Thomas Lyte Modern Heritage Award marks a new partnership between the Crafts Council and Thomas Lyte - a modern luxury brand with strong English heritage and inspired by the ethical principles of the arts and crafts movement.
The Thomas Lyte Modern Heritage Award is aimed specifically at makers who are at the beginning of their career, from new graduates to emerging makers up to three years working professionally in the UK. The award is open to makers in the following disciplines: Silver and Fine Metals, Glass, Wood and Leather, who were invited to submit functional objects for home or travel.
The winner will be announced at Origin 2008, with work from the following shortlist displayed:
- — Louise Chesshire: Guipure Vase
- — Lisa Jane Forrester : Breakfast Set
- — Heather Gillespie: Break the Pattern
- — James Maclachlan: Splatter
- — Sian Matthews: Patterned Silver Champagne Cooler
- — Miranda Meilleur: Coffee Scoop Measure
- — Will Odell: Cracked Bow
- — Jo Scholar: Doily
- — Jessica Irena Smith: Bird Vase
Visit the Thomas Lyte website to find out more.
Wesley-Barrell Craft Awards
The Wesley-Barrell Craft Awards, in association with the Crafts Council, are designed to support British craftsmanship and recognise the quality of home-grown talent that exists today. The awards are aimed at makers who are working professionally in Britain. The categories are furniture and textiles for interiors. Short-listed pieces will be showcased at selected Wesley-Barrell stores as well as at Origin. A cash prize of £3,000 will be awarded to a winner from both categories. Each winner will also benefit from a business mentoring scheme with Wesley-Barrell.
Short-listed work 2008:
- — Kaniez Abdi: Spiral Wall Art
- — Neil Bottle: Optical series wall hanging
- — Laura McCafferty: The Crufts Misfits
- — Rowan Mersh: Future landscapes
- — Gareth Neal: Anne sidetable
- — Michèle Oberdieck: Poppy Silhouette
- — Laura Thomas: Grid weave
- — Ruth Waller: Panamic
Visit the Wesley Barrell website to find out more.
The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Award for Export
The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) award is presented to the exhibitor at Origin whose work shows innovation and creativity and is deemed appropriate for export. The award will be presented to a new exporter to visit the export market of their choice and is open only to exhibitors living and working in the UK.
Visit the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) website to find out more.
Selvedge Excellence in Textiles Award
Selvedge Magazine aims to reinstate the individual, spotlighting artisan makers who produce work that demonstrates their unhurried devotion to quality. We are committed to contemporary craft and to providing a platform for textile designers and makers. The Selvedge Award will be presented to an individual who demonstrates superb practical skills, an individual aesthetic and a clear understanding of the end use of the textiles they craft. All three of these elements are crucial to modern textile designers and those that manage to combine them successfully deserve our recognition.
Visit the Selvedge website to find out more.
Other awards being presented this year at Origin are:
- — Crafts Council Patrons Award for Best Newcomer to Origin
- — Crafts magazine Award for Best Contribution to Origin
- — Evening Standard Homes & Property Award for Best Domestic Product
