We caught up with Isobel Dennis, Fair Director ahead of the 20th edition of Collect 2024 (which opens this Friday, March 1st) to find out some of her highlights.
moon landing – a site-specific installation by Margo Selby represented by Cynthia Corbett Gallery
moon landing by British textile artist Margo Selby is a celebration of the mathematical and technical possibilities of weaving and the crossovers of pattern, tone and rhythm found in both music and woven textiles. This immersive installation brings together a large, hand-woven artwork and a newly composed musical score for strings, echoing the threads on a loom.
Responding to the space, the artwork has been designed to reflect the 5 floors of the Stamp Stair at Somerset House, to sit perfectly within the space. The artwork transcends the building’s levels as one continuous length. Visitors can ascend and descend the spiral staircase taking in the full detail of the 12.5m handwoven piece, and follow how the abstracted blocks of colour constantly shift and alter to reflect the journey of the music. A process-led film will document the creative journey as Margo and Helen realise their respective work. This film will be available as a companion to the installation, along with a recording of the music which can be listened to within the space using headphones.
Carina Shoshtary Represented by Objects Beautiful
A new gallery to Collect, Objects Beautiful will launch a new gallery space in London this year specializing in jewellery. At Collect 2024 they will exhibit 3D work from various disciplines, including jewellery art, textile, metal, glass and Ceramic art. Beauty is the overriding theme of the gallery it’s their inspiration, culture, uniqueness, and mission. The gallery director Yael Reisner was previously an architect and is setting up this new gallery space concentrating on beauty.
See a full list of exhibiting galleries HERE
Crafts: In conversation with Freya Bramble-Carter and Chris Bramble
Friday 1st March, 12.00 Talks Theatre, Somerset House: Throughout his nearly four-decade-long career, celebrated ceramicist Chris Bramble passed on his passion for clay to daughter Freya Bramble-Carter (both represented at Collect 2024 by 50 Golborne), now a star potter in her own right. Here, the pair join Crafts editor Debika Ray to discuss their work and the delight of collaborating with family.
Chris Bramble and Freya Bramble-Carter will present collaborative work presented by 50 Golborne & Cynthia Corbett Gallery. A series of ceramics made in collaboration by a father-daughter artist duo composed by Chris Bramble and Freya Bramble-Carter. Chris’ work is inspired by Zimbabwean traditions.
See the full talks programme HERE
Halima Cassell represented by Joanna Bird Contemporary Collections.
One of five artists shortlisted for the 2024 Brookfield Properties Craft Award to be announced on 28th February.
Born in 1975 in Pakistan, brought up in Manchester and now living in Blackburn, Lancashire, Halima’s varied, multi-cultural background is tangibly present in her work. A natural creativity presented itself at an early age and was nurtured to fruition as Halima carved her way through an art-based education: an undergraduate degree in 1997 and an MA in 2002. The culmination of this process is Halima’s precociously mature work. Fusing her Asian roots with a fascination for African pattern work and a passion for architectural geometry, Halima’s work is intense yet playful, structured yet creative; substantial yet dynamic and invariably compelling in its originality. In Halima’s work, she combines strong
geometric elements with recurrent patterns and architectural principles, her work utilises definite lines and dramatic angles. Halima concentrates on simple forms as the basis of her work to maximise the impact of the complex surface patterns in combination with heavily contrasting contours
Ash & Plumb
For this project, Ash & Plumb celebrate ancient British and European craft history through historical reference to archaeologically discovered form. A study of ancient visual language translated into a modern vernacular, each vessel different from the next but still maintaining a fundamental aesthetic.
A cohesive celebration of historical archetypes traditionally shaped from clay crafted instead from Oak through the medium of turning, hollowing and individually patinating vessels featuring unique decorative stitch work in various natural fibres such as cotton, linen and silk.
Alongside the international galleries at Collect, Collect Open is the fair’s platform for experimental proposals and installations by individual artists and collectives it will present 14 exciting new projects by artists hailing from Canada, Portugal, and from all over the UK including Northern Ireland. Collect Open participants are selected by a separate expert advisory panel and are invited to produce work that challenges material, social, political or personal perceptions.
Part of Collect Open
Collect 2024, 1st – 3rd March 2024, Somerset House, collectfair.org.uk
(previews 28th – 29th February)
About
Presented by Crafts Council, Collect is the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design, representing the pinnacle of artistry and creativity. Celebrating its 20th year, Collect 2024 takes place in the glorious and historic setting of Somerset House, London.
At a time when contemporary craft has never been more sought after, Collect features outstanding artworks, rich in narrative, made in the last five years by living artists and designers. Prices range from £500 to £50,000+ providing an opportunity for collectors, art consultants, interior designers, curators and enthusiasts – new and established – to acquire contemporary craft. To book tickets, click here.
