The experts' edit: 7 craft graduates set to shine

13 July 2021

Curators and critics pick the ones to watch from the class of 2021

13 July 2021

Detail of Nine Nights, a stained glass work by Lilly Erris

It's no secret that students have had a tough time since the pandemic hit – not least those studying craft courses, thanks to the hands-on nature of these disciplines and the need to access equipment.

To celebrate the 2021 cohort's achievements in the face of huge challenges, we've asked leading critics, curators and gallerists to each nominate one craft graduate who they think could be a rising star of tomorrow.

The Hardy Tree, a ceramic work by Edgar Ward

Edgar Ward
Selected by the curator, Preston Fitzgerald

'Edgar Ward (Ceramics & Glass MA, Royal College of Art) is a sculptor working in clay and stone. He previously trained in stone carving at the City and Guilds of London Art School, and understands that stone carving is by nature a reductive process – while modelling clay is about organically building up the sculpture. These opposing methods come together in Ward's newest works. Having grown up in Delhi, London and Paris, he was inspired by the architecture of Mughal India and of the French Renaissance. This knowledge, alongside his research at the RCA, informs his artistic practice. Ward's understanding of the materiality of clay is new and fresh. His art is a testament to the outstanding training UK universities provide in art, craft and design.'

Memory Bench by Ameera Azami, made using upcycled waste materials woven into rope
Detail of Memory Bench by Ameera Azami

Ameera Azami
Selected by the writer and speaker, Katie Tregidden

'The dress you wore on your first date. The "lucky" t-shirt you held onto until it was falling apart. The jumper that still smells of him. Clothes hold memories, but what do we do with them when they are no longer fit for wear? Ameera Azami (Product & Furniture Design BA, Kingston University) thinks she has got the answer. During lockdown, she started weaving waste she found around the house – anything from plastic bags to old clothes – into square and rectangular samples. The colourful and storied samples gave her an idea: her Memory Bench now breathes new life into old clothes, capturing their narratives for decades to come – and, of course, keeping them out of landfill.'

Rocks Lake Vase by Annabelle Macleod, made from jesmonite and a mirror

Anabelle Macleod
Selected by the curator, Brian Kennedy

‘I was impressed with how successfully Anabelle Macleod (BA 3D Design and Craft, University of Brighton) combined the digital with the natural in her work – and how she draws inspiration from her native landscape of rural Sussex. Macleod’s jesmonite Rocks Lake Vase is informed by natural sandstone formations found in Uckfield. The geometric and geomorphic base holds flowers, while a mirror reflects the natural contents, highlighting them as they go through their natural process towards decay. Her Ferrous Formation tables were sculpted with iron slag rock: a by-product of the separation of metal from raw ore, found in the countryside of Hamsey Village. It’s thoughtful, impressive and confident work – it will be interesting to see how it develops.’

Paintings made using carbon black ink and phycocyanin blue created by Phoebe Lewis

Phoebe Lewis
Selected by the curator and critic, Corinne Julius

'Having judged two awards this summer, I have chosen Phoebe Lewis (Design for Industry BA, Northumbria University), who won the Colour in Design Award: Week 2 in the online edition of New Designers fair. Her winning project was a beautifully thought-out and presented investigation of the sustainable production of coloured inks from seaweed. By farming seaweed to make a material that is traditionally derived from petrochemicals, Lewis reduces the impact of ink production on the environment and helps to revive coastal industries. The use of both raw seaweed and its waste products results in a colour palette like no other.'

Yarn_, a series made from Parian porcelain and yarn by Phoebe Ho

Phoebe Ho
Selected by the gallerist, Shiro Muchiri

'It was a pleasure to see the Yarn_ project by Phoebe Ho (Design MA, Central Saint Martins). Using red yarn as a reference to many cross-cultural symbols of human blessing and connection, Phoebe demonstrated talent to manipulate the Parianware porcelain into sophisticated anthropomorphic vessels. Her works have a beautiful feel, luminosity and a ringing sound quality – I truly look forward to seeing her next creations.'

Nine Nights, a stained glass work by Lilly Erris

Lilly Eris
Selected by Craftspace director Deirdre Figueiredo

‘I was moved by the utopian spirit of Lilly Eris (Contemporary Design Crafts & Jewellery Design BA, Hereford College of Arts). Her quest for a more inclusive and climate-resilient world is visible in her exquisite, jewel-like illustrations. She has taken up the traditional storytelling medium of stained glass to create mythical scenes that are allegories of dystopic modern life – folklore for the 21st century. Growing up in a commune with shared values, resources and systems for living has led Eris to view the world through a lens of commons and commoning. Her work features "Greblins" to represent the global elite, juxtaposed with beautiful depictions of the flora and fauna we stand to lose with climate change. Another piece addresses intersectional relationships and the absurdity of the hate and prejudice faced by same sex and interracial couples.'

Beach Clean Products: The Ocean Bucket, made from recycled plastic waste by Callum Wardle

Callum Wardle
Selected by the journalist and curator, Barbara Chandler

‘With New Designers cancelled two years running, it is cruel that graduates have had no big showcase. So I thought I would visit those colleges – from Plymouth to Manchester - who were holding shows. Callum Wardle (Product and Furniture Design BA, Kingston School of Art) was one of my favourite finds. During lockdown, Wardle collected waste plastic from Devon beaches, which he has turned into robust beach toys. These will be hired out to families visiting the beach, thus truly closing the loop. I loved the totality of his approach, his breezy can-do attitude and friendly, jolly designs. Wardle’s work – and other recent discoveries – will feature in GREEN GRADS, a sustainability-focused show I’m curating as part of Planted. It will be hosted in the Samsung Building in Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London (25–26 September).'

Are you a #newmaker or #craftgrad? Share your work on Instagram using these hashtags to help us discover the class of 2021.

The experts' edit: 7 craft graduates set to shine

Read more

8 new makers share their most golden nuggets of advice

5 fresh talents seen on #newmakers

What I wish I’d known when I graduated: 11 craftspeople offer career advice