{"id":7448,"date":"2019-03-12T17:00:28","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T17:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.covetfoundation.com\/events\/?p=7448"},"modified":"2020-01-19T19:50:16","modified_gmt":"2020-01-19T19:50:16","slug":"craftsmanship-superb-masterpieces-british-arts-crafts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.covetfoundation.com\/events\/craftsmanship-superb-masterpieces-british-arts-crafts\/","title":{"rendered":"Craftsmanship: Superb Masterpieces of British Arts and Crafts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

British Craftsmanship<\/strong><\/em><\/u> is coveted by the world and celebrated as one of the ancient European treasures<\/strong>. To support and protect it, London Craft Week<\/strong><\/a> was born, an annual event which showcases fine craftsmanship<\/strong> over a journey-of-discovery program featuring peculiar workshops<\/strong> and unknown makers<\/strong> alongside celebrated master artisans<\/strong>, renowned studios<\/strong>, art galleries<\/strong>, shops and luxury brands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship. Photo: \u00a9Morpheus London<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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London Design Week 2018. Photo: \u00a9IFDM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cLondon has long had a Fashion Week<\/strong> and a Design Festival<\/strong><\/a> (London Design Week<\/strong>). Now there is London Craft Week<\/strong>. A magical combination of imagination, individuality, passion and skill found in the best-made of things\u201d<\/em>, said Guy Salter<\/strong>, the Chairman of London Craft Week. He even clarified, \u201cLondon Craft Week is a response to a renaissance in the appreciation of creativity and craft<\/strong>; to the role of hand, head, unique skills<\/strong> and true talent<\/strong>. It is another example of what, at its best, the world\u2019s creative capital does so well \u2013 mixing glamour<\/strong> with cutting edge<\/strong>; heritage<\/strong> and contemporary<\/strong> and the commercial<\/strong> with the cultural<\/strong>\u201c<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship: Master Artisan in his workshop. Photo: \u00a9The Dots<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

At London Craft Week, relevant themes of today\u2019s contemporary world are discussed. For example, in 2017, the founder of luxury<\/strong> emporium William & Son<\/strong><\/a>, William Asprey<\/strong>, debated with Dr. Jana Scholze<\/strong>, course director of the Curating Contemporary Design<\/strong> MA at Kingston University<\/strong>, and Frederick Goetzen<\/strong>, an authority in luxury PR and communications, about the challenges British craftsmanship<\/strong> faces today and its possible future.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship: Beautifully engraved shotgun by William & Son, London. Photo: \u00a9Quill and Pad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

William & Son continuously supports British craftsmen<\/strong>. This first-class brand offers exquisite collections<\/strong> from jewelry<\/strong> and handbags<\/strong> to board games and guns, most of which can be custom made<\/strong>. \u201cReal luxury is being able to give people exactly what they want,\u201d <\/em>Mr Asprey explained, \u201cso craftsmanship is imperative in what we do\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship. Photo: \u00a9shootingsportsman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Thanks to its talented master artisans<\/strong>, the company is able to offer a service\u2019s level which is hard to obtain even for many luxury brands<\/strong>. Mr. Asprey owns three expert workshops<\/strong> around the United Kingdom<\/strong>, however, he alone can\u2019t ensure that all precious traditions<\/strong> thrive.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship: Tailoring. Photo: \u00a9Independent School Parent<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It is crucial that the admiration for the finest craftsmanship<\/strong> is nurtured to inspire future generations to learn more and get involved in these highly specialized fields. Not only teaching creativity<\/strong> to children in schools, but also educating customers<\/strong> must be the goal and storytelling<\/strong> is the key for that. \u201cThrough craftsmanship, you are telling a story about what makes an object valuable \u2013 rather than just presenting it for its value,\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Mr. Asprey clarified. A creative customer who is encouraged<\/strong> to touch<\/strong> and feel<\/strong> a piece in store is much more likely to understand the craft process<\/strong> than through a web page.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship. Photo: \u00a9Aiveen Daly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Projects such as A Celebration of British Craftsmanship<\/em>, a book which shows us the behind the scenes<\/strong> of the dedicated lives of some of the craftsmen<\/strong> that the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust<\/strong> (QEST) supported, are also essential.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship: Jenny Pickford, QEST Scholar 2010, Artist Blacksmith. Photo: \u00a9Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Founded by the Royal Warrant Holders Association<\/strong>, on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother\u2019s 90th Birthday, QEST\u2019s mission remains the same today as it did at its inauguration in 1990: to maintain Britain\u2019s cultural heritage<\/strong> by supporting excellence<\/strong> in British craftsmanship<\/strong> through funding the training and education of talented and aspiring craftsmen.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship: Andrian Melka, QEST Scholar 2008, Sculptor. Photo: \u00a9Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

From armorer<\/strong> to basket makers<\/strong>; block-printer to ceramicists<\/strong>; a calligrapher<\/strong> to silversmiths<\/strong>; a charcoal burner<\/strong> to milliners<\/strong>; to stone carvers<\/strong>, weavers<\/strong> and so much more, from the traditional to the contemporary, QEST encourages true skill<\/strong>, knowledge<\/strong>, respect<\/strong> for traditions<\/strong> and innovation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Craftsmanship: Shem Mackey, QEST Scholar 1998, Luthier. Photo: \u00a9Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Undoubtfully, there is a bright future for Britain\u2019s traditional crafts<\/strong> and techniques<\/strong> if luxury brands<\/strong>, associations<\/strong> and the government<\/strong> keep on funding incredible projects to raise the quality<\/strong> level of clothing, accessories, watches, jewelry, silverware<\/strong> and homeware designs<\/strong>, among others.<\/p>\n