Craft Britain: Why Making Matters

Description

Craft is at the very heart of British identity, from stained-glass windows in country churches to the Enid Blyton charm of thatched houses; from Harris Tweed (famously poached by Coco Chanel) to the ceremonial livery worn by horses at Buckingham Palace. The burgeoning of digital craftsmanship is also enriching ground-breaking technologies, including microbial weaving and bespoke-made vessels for growing human tissue. Craft Britain brings together watchmakers with saddlers; bell casters with neon benders; shoemakers with silversmiths; potters with orrery-makers; stonemasons with weavers; embroiderers with basket-makers - and a myriad other craft traditions. This book aims to beat the drum for craft, waking people up to the fact that they need to support the country's rich seam of incredible craftspeople and so encourage new generations to master the skills needed to preserve and continue craft traditions. Craft Britain proves that craftsmanship in Britain is neither dying nor dead, but is a continuing and exciting exploration of process, materials and ideas spanning architecture, interiors, fashion, art and design.

David Linley - the Earl of Snowdon - first developed his passion for arts and crafts at Bedales school. He then studied furniture-making at Parnham House School for Craftsman in Wood. He established his eponymous business in 1985 focusing on the production of bespoke furniture for individual commissions. Since then, Linley has achieved international renown for luxury interior design, furniture and accessories of the highest quality. David was appointed Chairman of Christie's UK in 2006 and was promoted to Hon. Chairman for Christie's in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and India in 2015. In 2018, he was appointed Vice President of The Prince's Foundation and is also Vice Patron of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST); in recent years he founded the Snowdon Summer School in cabinet-making. David has written numerous books and lectured around the world at venues including the V&A Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington and many other leading American institutions.Helen Chislett is a journalist and author of over 30 years' experience who specialises in design and decoration at a luxury level, encompassing everything from craft, interiors, art and antiques to architecture, gardens and collecting. She is the author of 20 books to date and prides herself on being able to translate design subjects for a wider audience in a way that is accessible, useful and inspirational. In addition, she runs her own consultancy, London Connoisseur (www.londonconnoisseur.co.uk), which is devoted to championing contemporary artisanship in design.