The Future of Craft exhibition will return to Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf from 12-15 May 2022, as part of this year’s London Craft Week. After enjoying a successful launch in 2019, this destination event will provide a vibrant and creative hub for visitors keen to experience and explore modern approaches to craft. Curated by Oxo Tower Wharf, and in collaboration with Design-Nation and Future Icons, The Future of Craft will showcase innovative, dynamic and forward-looking craft collectives, practitioners and organisations.

Across four floors of the visually appealing, raw and industrial Bargehouse, visitors to The Future of Craft will discover new projects, installations and collaborations from over 40 pioneering makers, working in a range of craft disciplines: ceramics, furniture, interior accessories, lighting, metalwork, textiles and more.

Special features include Fung+Bedford, who will transform the Bargehouse with their origami inspired large scale paper installations ‘Gathering’ and ‘18’. Cockpit Collective will present ‘Textile + Surface’, an artist-led showcase of craftspeople working within textile and surface design, and Royal College of Art Chinese Students and Scholars Association will showcase ’Absent Traces’, a collective of student and graduate work.

This year, our visitors will also be treated to a 4 day programme of free talks and maker demonstrations. Highlights include a panel discussion with podcaster Grant Gibson of Material Matters and large scale marbling demonstrations from Nat Maks.

A must-see event during London Craft Week 2022, The Future of Craft will provide an insightful, interactive and intelligent exhibit, fostering learning and encouraging debate around the many approaches to craft and its future potential.

Kei Tominaga

Jo Davies

The Future of Craft: collaborators and exhibitions

Placing an emphasis on the value of design and craft as integral to the UK’s creative and cultural legacy, Design-Nation is working to build a rich and diverse portfolio of contemporary designer–makers. At The Future of Craft, Design-Nation will present a headline showcase of brand new projects and products, spanning two rooms at Bargehouse. With an impressive line-up of craft disciplines and the participation of 17 superlative designer–makers, Design-Nation will ensure visitors experience a truly creative display of crafts, including ceramics, furniture and textiles.

Design-Nation exhibitors include Angus Ross; Anne Mckenzie Botanic Calligraphic Art; Arra Textiles; Bridget Bailey; Coucou Manou; Emily Jo Gibbs; Jacky Puzey Embroidery; Kira Phoenix K’inan; Kirsty Adams Ceramics; Majeda Clarke; Michéle Oberdieck; Momoka Gomi and Wolfram Lohr. A special new feature will introduce work from Design-Nation graduate members Cathy Green Ceramics, Gunn Ceramics and The Metalsmith. Plus exclusive installations from Fung+Bedford.

Future Icons represents a choice portfolio of design and craft-led businesses, whose collections include a fine array of interior and fashion accessories, furniture, artwork and objets d’art. At The Future of Craft, Future Icons will present a singular selection of works from 12 of its clients, all leading contemporary craft practitioners. Disciplines on display will include: ceramics, furniture, textiles, and metal, leather and paper artworks. Visitors will be able to purchase pieces from individual makers.

Future Icons exhibitors include Bronwyn Higgins; Louise Heighes; Lucie Summers; Kei Tominaga; Lark & Bower; Pipet Design; RHMB; Ikuko Iwamoto; Jo Davies; Gabriel Eden James; Judy McKenzie and Nat Maks.

Cockpit Collective, presents ‘Textile + Surface’, an artist-led showcase of eleven craftspeople working within textile and surface design. The London-based collective, who excel in material innovation and craft artistry, each tell a material story spanning a wide range of specialist crafts from natural dyeing to weaving with waste.

Cockpit Collective exhibitors include: Alicia Rowbotham; Millie Thomas; Alice Timmis; Hannah Refaat; Vicky Cowin; Ellen Williams; Anna Davies; Hannah Galvin-Horne; Kendall Clarke; Kamilah Ahmed and Sophie Graney.

Dates: 12-15 May 2022
Opening Times: 11am – 6pm
Address: Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London SE1 9PH