Collect 2021 talks

In association with Crafts magazine and in collaboration with partners and sponsors.

Collect 2021

All Collect 2021 public and VIP talks are now available to watch on the Crafts Council YouTube channel and via the links below.

Public Talks

Breaking the Boundaries of Craft: LOEWE FOUNDATION

An international panel from LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize finalists discussed the boundaries of craft: its relationship with technology, new materials, art, legacy, and contemporary culture. The conversation – with ceramist Takeshi Yasuda, textile artist Yeonsoon Chang, glass maker Harry Morgan and jeweller Patricia Domingues, conducted by journalist and art historian Anatxu Zabalbeascoa – included videos showing the evolution of the makers’ work.

Trophy by Alex Brogan, 2016. Photo provided by LOEWE FOUNDATION

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The Fielding Talk: In conversation with Magdalene Odundo DBE

For this year's Crafts Council Fielding Talk, in which makers discuss their creativity in depth, renowned ceramicist Magdalene Odundo DBE joined in conversation Gus Casely-Hayford, director of the V&A East and columnist for Crafts magazine. Following the success of her 2019 exhibition The Journey of Things, Odundo spoke on how she has developed her unique practice.

Magdalene Odundo DBE in her studio. Photo: A.K. Perkiss

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Crafting the New Normal

Almost a year on from the international art circuit going into lockdown, we reflected on a seismic year for the market and explored how this has impacted on craft. We considered what steps will be needed to help the sector recover, and what positive changes we can adapt for good. Speakers included: Collect gallerist Angel Monzon, Vessel Gallery; Christopher Day, glass artist; Denis Shafranik, collector; and Anders Peterson, Art Tactic; chaired by Natalie Melton, creative director at the Crafts Council.

Emmett Till by Christopher Day, 2019, represented by Vessel Gallery

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Edmund de Waal in conversation with Glenn Adamson

Since artist and author Edmund de Waal exhibited at the very first Collect in 2004, he has established an expansive art practice that pushes the potential of ceramics, while engaging with history, architecture, music and poetry. In this talk, hosted by Crafts magazine, Edmund discussed the meaning of craft today, its relationship to contemporary art, and his eagerly anticipated new book, Letters to Camondo, out in April, with the curator and critic Glenn Adamson, Crafts’ editor-at-large.

Edmund de Waal in his studio. Photo: Tom Jamieson

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House & Garden Presents: What role does contemporary craft play in the home?
House & Garden's Elizabeth Metcalfe was joined by talented interior designer Jo LeGleud from Maddux Creative, London-based gallerist Juliana Cavaliero from Cavaliero Finn and Paris-based gallerist Laurence Bonnel from Galerie SCENE OUVERTE to discuss the importance of contemporary craft and how it can enrich the interiors we live in.

SIDE TABLE 1 by Abel Carcamo, 2020, represented by Galerie SCENE OUVERTE

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The Maker Revolution: Can craft save our cities?
Our high streets were already in trouble before the pandemic, and now our urban centres are facing pressure like never before. This talk, hosted by Crafts, explored the role of makers and galleries in urban regeneration and how they can bring life back to the heart of our cities. A panel of experts included designer and space-maker Morag Myerscough, cultural strategist Chenine Bhathena (creative director of Coventry 2021, UK City of Culture) and Caitlin Warfield of Brookfield Properties, chaired by Annie Warburton, CEO of Cockpit Arts.

A New Now by Morag Myerscough. Photo by Thomas Lang

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VIP Talks

Cox London presents: The Collectors, modern craft in the hands of interior designers

Cox London live to landscape interior worlds. Naturally drawn to like-minded makers and designers, in this film House & Garden Editor, Hatta Byng, spoke to Melissa Hamilton (Interior Design Director at Studio Indigo), Hugh Leslie (Hugh Leslie Design), Olivia Outred (Olivia Outred Studio) and Chris Cox (Creative Director at Cox London) about how the best handmade work serves both the eye of the creator and the eye of the beholder. Filmed at the Cox Studio, the designers discussed their extraordinary picks from this year’s Collect galleries. Thank you to Oxford Ceramics Gallery and Cavaliero Finn for providing artworks for the film.

Hatta Byng, Editor House & Garden ,and Chris Cox Creative Director Cox London. Image: by Alun Callender in the Cox London Studio .

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Anna Ray announced as the 2021 Brookfield Properties Crafts Council Collection Award Winner

Collect 2021 Award Partner Brookfield Properties selected Anna Ray, represented by House on Mars Gallery, as the winner of this year’s Brookfield Properties Crafts Council Collection Award. Two pieces ‘Capture’ and ‘Weave’ (both 2020) will be acquired for the Crafts Council Collection. During this event Anna received the award and talked a bit about the creation of the two pieces acquired and previous winner Matt Smith talked about the impact of winning the inaugural Brookfield Properties Crafts Council Collection Award.

Brookfield Properties Crafts Council Collection Award 2020 Winner Matt Smith represented by The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, England

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Collect Selects No 1: Ceramic and Glass, in association with Sotheby’s

Since the inaugural fair, Collect has been a platform for some of the finest names in Ceramics and Glass from around the world. Each year galleries bring new work from established names and introduce new talent and there are hundreds of objects to see and buy. Sotheby’s specialists Julia Fischel and Robin Cawdron-Stewart looked at some of their top picks from ceramic and glass at Collect 2021, talked about artists to watch and the hottest trends in galleries and at auction.

Porcelain by Johannes Nagel, represented by Galerie Rosemarie Jäger, Germany. Photo Tom Dachs

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Collect Selects No 2. Textiles and New Materials, in association with the V&A and RCA

This event brought Dr Christine Checinska, British womenswear designer, art historian and Curator of African and African Diaspora Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum together with Anne Toomey, Head of Programme and Reader in Smart Textiles at the Royal College of Art discussed their selection of stand-out objects at this year's Collect Art fair. Christine and Anne introduced the work of new emerging makers as well as established textile artists.

Textile by So-Ra Lee, represented by Lloyd Choi Gallery, S. Korea

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Collect Selects No 3. Art Jewellery and Precious Metalwork, in association with The Goldsmiths’ Company

Founder of KTW London Katy Wickremesinghe joined internationally renowned fine jewellery designer Stephen Webster MBE and Liveryman of The Goldsmiths’ Company along with Collect’s Consultant Daniella Wells to discuss some of the top picks from art jewellery and metal at Collect 2021. Katy and Stephen shared their passion for jewellery by reviewing a selection of wearables from the fair and looked at some of the exquisite craftmanship in metal. Daniella lent a voice about the expertise from galleries that have been the driving force behind supporting the pioneering creativity in this field.

Necklace by Dorothea-Pruhl, represented by Galerie Marzee, The Netherlands

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Collect Selects No 4. Wood, paper and larger scale works, in association with Interior Style Hunter

Grant Pierrus (Interior Style Hunter) joined a conversation with Collect gallerist Sarah Myerscough, Director at Marchmont House and collector Hugo Burge, and interior designer Nicky Dobree to discuss their love of artists who work in wood and related materials. A selection of work available at the fair was discussed including artists represented as part of Sarah Myerscough Collect selection ‘Broken Beauty’. The panel shared their passion for the stunning works inspired by this wonderful material along with how to start collecting and the enjoyment of living with exceptional contemporary craft.

Wood by Nic Webb, represented by Sarah Myerscough Gallery, England.

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Collect 2021 talks

Public Talks

VIP Talks

Read more

Gus Casely-Hayford visits the studio of ceramic artist Magdalene Odundo

Textile designer Alicia Rowbotham reimagines waste silk

5 artists turning paper into sculptural wonders at Collect art fair