Craft, in particular pottery, is having moment. Maybe it’s the popularity of The Great Pottery Throw Down, or a desire to switch off from technology and use ones hands, but there is definitely a contemporary ceramic revival happening.
Cast aside thoughts of rustic, chunky, heavy mugs and ugly bowls in earthy colours, this new breed of hand crafted ceramics is minimal and sophisticated, in Farrow & Ball inspired neutrals or the palest of pastels.
My new favourite restaurant Jidori sums up this new aesthetic. The interior is designed by Architect Giles Reid who converted a wedding dress shop in Dalston, using a lovely combination of natural wood and soft pastel & nuetral colours.
The pastel palette is complimented by bespoke crockery, designed for the restaurant by Japanese ceramicist Yuka Kikumoto.
The interior is such a pleasant change from the re-claimed/exposed light bulb aesthetic that dominates most of East London and I can highly recommend the food – I’m still dreaming of the katsu curry scotch egg!
Craft fairs are a great way to see the latest in contemporary ceramics and the Ceramic Art London fair is coming up in April in London. Running from the 8th – the 10th April at the Central Saint Martins building in Kings Cross the exhibition will showcase established as well as new crafts people.
Now in its third year, Heal’s Modern Craft Market returns bigger and better than ever to the Tottenham Court Road store. Celebrating the best in contemporary crafts, the event will also be showcasing the work of artisans from the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
The Modern Craft Market launches on St Patrick’s Day, Thursday 17 March and runs until the 23rd April. You can book tickets to the events here.
Isn’t it great this craft moment…so many wonderful designers/craftsm’n.
My favourites on IG are jonosmart, hopeinthewoods and midgeleygreen.
Such a shame Liberty hasn’t caught on; so they could downplay some of the current Emperors new clothes now showcasing there.
Cafe looks fab … must visit