Exclusive to designer makers！ Collect 2024

Today I attended Collect 2024, an international contemporary craft and design exhibition celebrating its 20th anniversary, organised by the Crafts Council. Bringing together specialist galleries, dealers and collectives from across the globe, this exhibition represents the very best in contemporary craft and features the work of 400 artists, covering a wide range of crafts from ceramics to non-traditional materials such as resin, mica, corn starch and plastic.

After viewing the diverse exhibits, I began to think about how the concepts behind these works relate to my artistic practice. In particular, the use of recycled and non-traditional materials that challenged the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship inspired me to think about how I could incorporate the concept of sustainability into my own work. In addition, this innovative use of materials reminds me that contemporary craft is more than just a demonstration of technique; it is also a deep reflection on material and environmental responsibility. For example, a sculpture in the exhibition using corn starch and plastic piqued my interest, not only demonstrating the beauty of the physical form, but also conveying a concern for environmental sustainability. This coincided with my current project exploring the use of biodegradable materials for installation art. The experience of viewing the exhibition made me realise that incorporating such environmental concepts into my work would not only enhance the depth of artistic expression, but also convey a more important message to the audience.