Origin: The London Craft Fair

This week sees the start of Origin. On Thursday 23rd September over 220 highly talented makers will gather at the fair’s new venue, Spitalfields Market, to exhibit and sell their work. Visitors can expect to see an exciting array of new and original,‘Made not Manufactured’ contemporary craft.

‘Each year a panel of judges made up of curators, makers, craft retailers, journalists and ‘opinion formers’ familiar with contemporary craft, meet to select the most beautiful and inspiring work from established and new talent across a variety of disciplines: ceramics, fashion accessories, jewellery, glass, knitwear, furniture, metalwork, interiors and millinery. Work is selected on the originality of ideas, craft-skills, quality, commercial-awareness – and to ensure a good representation across the categories.’

Previously held at Somerset House, the change in venue and the new unified timing has injected a renewed sense of excitement to the event. This is already apparent through the high numbers of new makers who have applied and been selected.

This year 30% of Origin exhibitors are part of the New Makers Initiative – a supported programme for makers who have been in business for less than three years.

Here’s a taster of what to expect:

Rebecca Coles – Image of ‘Chalk Hill Blue’ Lysandra Coridon – £725
Hand-cut paper butterfly sculpture. Using paper, pins, foam board. Encased in a wooden frame.

Kealwork – A Little Jacob’s Beast Hat, £50
Felted hat made from Jacob’s sheep fleece

Debbie Smyth – Home Sweet home, £195
Framed pin and thread text art
(photography: Zac Mead)

Top: Sarah Thirlwell – Oval 3’s, £104
Hand-turned functional vessels made from FSC grade birch plywood, reclaimed acrylic and recycled plastic vending cups and refrigerator door linings.
(Photography: Catherine Dineley)

What: Origin: The London Craft Fair
Where: Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, London, E1 6EW
When: 23rd to 29th September | 10am – 6pm, last admission 5:15pm
More Info: www.originuk.org

This entry is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.