Future Edit: graduate showcase

A selling showcase of the best craft and design graduate talent exhibited in the Crafts Council Gallery and available to purchase online.

Future Edit installation. Foreground from left — Jean Izard, Liz Tiranti, Dominic Flavell and Helen Owens. Photo: Eva Herzog.

Future Edit is Crafts Council’s showcase of the best craft and design graduate talent. In its inaugural year, Future Edit shortlisted 44 makers and over 150 objects to be made purchasable online, with many pieces soon to be on show in the Crafts Council Gallery in 2021.

Programmed in response to the cancellation of physical degree shows and restrictions on cultural venues, Future Edit introduced a new generation of graduates – selected for their creative flair, thoughtful design and skilled execution by an experienced panel – to the industry, media and viewing public.

Left — Useless tools series, Jeanne Izard, found fabrics. Unknown II, Unknown III, Unknown I, Janet Ann Lines, stoneware. Photo: Eva Herzog.

From furniture and homewares to jewellery, apparel and one-off art pieces - Future Edit presented something for everyone. All works for sale were made by graduates during the final stages of their MA and BA courses. Many items were one-off, handmade pieces whilst others displayed the tenacity of makers to implement experimental techniques against the challenging backdrop of recent times. Offering a range of price points, Future Edit offers a chance to collect and gift pieces you covet and at the same time support a craft maker at the start of their career. .

Makers benefited from the proceeds of their sales, giving buyers knowledge that their purchases have directly supported makers at a precarious time. In addition, exhibiting graduates benefited from the support of Crafts Council’s Learning & Talent Development team, with guidance on pricing, promotion and product development from Crafts Council house experts.

Left — Plastic bag collection, Emilie Mason, recycled plastic. Front — Soft vessel, Sne Tak, mixed yarn. Right — Guscio Grezzo and Morbido Dentro, Francesca Miotti, mixed yarn. Photo: Eva Herzog.

Selection Panel

Makers were selected for Future Edit 2020 by an expert panel, all of whom are passionate about supporting new talent. Between them they drew on a rich creative expertise and diverse interests, from innovative manufacturing processes to slow fashion and ethically driven craft. Future Edit’s panel looked for original works that speak to the Crafts Council’s values to be playful, open and pioneering. The Future Edit 2020 panel included;

Shai Akram (founder and design director, Studio Alt Shift)
Janice Blackburn OBE (Sotheby’s, Chatsworth House, Liberty)
Uli Gamper (project curator, Crafts Council)
Natalie Melton (creative director, Crafts Council)
Daniel Olatunji (founder and maker, Monad London)
Ayesha Patel (jewellery designer, artist and one of Crafts Council’s Young Craft Citizens)

“I am lucky, I do what I love: spotting, encouraging and nurturing exceptional talent. When people ask how I know what I am looking for, I wish I could say I knew but it’s not a science, it’s like a light bulb that switches on in my head when I see something special and exciting. That special IT.”
Janice Blackburn OBE

Left to right — Draped shelf, Jane Yarnall, Stoneware. Fiona jumper, Aisling aran jumper, Alison scarf, Jamie Baldrick, yarn, glass and acrylic beading. Face dress and mask, Form dress and mask, Sinead Dress and mask, Elsa Searle-Vincent, textiles and embroidery. Photo: Eva Herzog

Exhibitors

Characterful knitted creatures, elegant twisted ‘rope’ gold jewellery, masks made using microalgae, chainmail screens, collapsible colourful vessels and accessories created from a new material made from kombucha drink waste – just some of the innovative objects found on display. Future Edit 2020 hosted the following graduate makers:

Aarushi Mittal, MA Textiles Design, University of the Arts London
Ally Powell, BA Decorative Arts, Nottingham Trent University
Bethany Walker, MA Ceramics and Glass, Royal College of Art
Bill Gowans, BA Ceramics, University for the Creative Arts at Farnham
Courtney Durka, BA Jewellery Design, University of the Arts London
Dominic Flavell, BA 3D Design, Plymouth University
Ella Budd, BA Contemporary Arts Practice, Bath Spa University
Ellen Martin, BA Textile Design, The Glasgow School of Art
Elsa Searle-Vincent, BA Hand Embroidery, Royal School of Needlework
Emilie Mason, BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery, Royal School of Needlework
Francesca Miotti, BA Textile Design, University of the Arts London
Gayi Soori , BA Ceramic Design, University of the Arts London
Gerald Mak, MA Ceramics and Glass, Royal College of Art
Hannah Skevington, BA Textiles in Practice, Manchester Metropolitan University
Helen Owen, BA Applied Arts, Wrexham Glyndŵr University
Hisae Abe, BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery, Royal School of Needlework
Holly Bennett, MA Design, University of the West of England
Irene Roca Moracia, MA Design, University of the Arts London
Isabelle Murray, BA Textile Design, The Glasgow School of Art
Jamie Baldrick, BA Textile Art, Design and Fashion, Ulster University
Jane Gray, BA Textile Design, Falmouth University
Jane Yarnall, MA Ceramics, Bath Spa University
Janet Ann Lines, MA Craft and Design, University for the Creative Arts
Jeanne Izard, BA Textile Design, London Metropolitan University
Jing Han, BA Jewellery Design, University of the Arts London
Joëlle Paulson, MA Design, University of West of England
Katherine James, BA Art and Design, University of Leeds
Katie Moore, MA Design Ceramics, Bath Spa University
Lindey Tydeman, MA Jewellery Design, University of the Arts London
Liz Tiranti, MA Craft, Brighton University
Loraine Feldman, BA Textile Design, London Metropolitan University
Lorna Yabsley, BA 3D Design Craft, Plymouth College of Art
Martin Marks, BA Ceramics, Silversmithing and Jewellery, Ulster University
Millicent Sutton, BA Contemporary Design Crafts, Hereford College of Arts
Naomi Aindow, BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery, Royal School of Needlework
Neil Baker, BA Designer Maker, Brighton university
Olivia Barthe, MA Design Jewellery, University of the Arts London
Rashmi Bidasaria, MA Design Products, Royal College of Art
Riina Õun, MA Material Futures University of the Arts London
Roanne Sanchez-Watts, BA Jewellery Design, University of the Arts London
Siobhan Wallace BA Jewellery Design, University of the Arts London
Sne Tak, MA Textiles, Royal College of Art
Sydney Alts, BA 3D Design and Craft, Brighton university
Tal Porat, BA Ceramic Design, University of the Arts London