Scottish Craft at Origin: the London Craft Fair

Origin: the London Craft Fair, returned to Somerset House for two weeks in October 2008. Many leading and emerging Scottish designer makers were there.

In week one Scotland was represented by four textile designers: Jane Keith, whose printed silk ties can often be spotted on Channel 4 news worn by Jon Snow; Tessuti’s handprinted lambswool and cashmere scarves; Andrea Williamson with her range of knitted horses and egg cosies in Shetland yarn and Louise Kirby, a first time exhibitor, launching her new range of hand-printed wool scarves.

Scottish jeweller Hannah Louise Lamb also exhibited, along with silversmith Adrian Hope, and two jewellers taking part for the first time, Sally Grant and Beth Legg. The group is completed by ceramicist Andrea Walsh and glass artist Elin Isaksson, another first time exhibitor, showing her dramatic delicate blown glass hanging lights.

In week two there was a new group of Scots arriving in London with first time exhibitor Sally-Ann Provan presenting her range of hats, and furniture designer Angus Ross showing his range of stylish furniture in Scottish woods. Silversmith Shimara Carlow was joined by a host of Scottish jewellers working in precious and non-precious materials. Kaz Robertson, Yvonne Gilhooly, Grace Girvan, and Gilly Langton were joined by Misun Won and Erin Daly.

The eight Scottish first time exhibitors were being supported to participate with funding from the Scottish Arts Council.  

Each week Origin presented a new selection of over 140 contemporary craft makers across all disciplines, including ceramics, glass, textiles and jewellery were present.

This year's Origin offered more than the usual, with a hands-on experience of craft for all visitors. Alinah Azadeh created a large textile structure in the pavilion that would ‘grow’ over the course of the two weeks. Ribbons with written thoughts of Origin visitors were woven together to form the fabric of the free-standing structure creating a visual record of people’s experiences of Origin.

There was also the opportunity to see the Origin Intervention, a show co-curated by the Crafts Council and the Somerset House. Work by nine selected artists was shown throughout the pavilion and around Somerset House. The works span a variety of disciplines and approaches to the creative process, using materials in challenging and unexpected ways.

There were also a series of workshops, talks and events over the two weeks and the winners of the Wesley Barrell Craft Awards and the inaugural Thomas Lyte Modern Heritage Award was awarded with work by all the finalists on display in the pavilion.

Further Information visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk/origin