London Craft Week: meet the makers.

This London Craft Week, we are celebrating London as a magnet for global talent for arts and craftsmanship. In collaboration with Cockpit, we’re hosting two events at Buckle Street Studios by Locke, featuring some of Cockpit’s most exciting makers and talents. 

‘Global Voices, International influences in Craft’ will take place on 9th May at 6pm. ‘Lunchtime lightening talks’ will take place on 11th May at 1pm. The maker’s will discuss some of the exciting processes behind their work and why they choose London as their creative base. 

We spent the day getting to know some of the makers who will speak at both events, their work and influences at the Cockpit studios in Bloomsbury. 

Who is Cockpit?

Cockpit celebrates and supports British and international makers through providing affordable studio space and business support to makers. Alongside, offering them a platform to showcase their work through events such as London Craft Week.

Meet the makers.

Guiseppe Savoca

“My inspiration comes from everywhere — I love to immerse myself with emotions. This can be triggered by materials, subjects and events. Past, present or forward. In the end, it is the fabric that speaks, and this will influence the way it is manipulated.”

Meron Wolde

“I find walking clears my thoughts. My favourite places to walk are through the historical streets of the City of London, gardens, parks, and museums. Some of my favourites are Sir John Soane's Museum, the Barbican, or the Garden Museum. When returning to the studio after a good walk, things seem to fall into place, my creativity restored.”

Archana Pathak

“My materials collected old artefacts and the process of making are my always my direct source of inspiration. The exploration of identity and its transience has been a thread which has informed and inspired my practice so far, which is informed by current events and my life as it evolves. I use old maps and make my threads out of them to create textile artworks which are abstract new maps of worlds that explores and expresses the meaning of identity and its transience.”

Majeda Clarke

“Memories of my birth country, Bangladesh - the landscape and history. Storytelling, from the Greek Myths to characters from history. Most of my work comes from commissions and its always the unexpected briefs: a favourite pot; the centenary of a female explorer; the macaroon counter of a heritage department store that are most interesting. It's the wonderful challenge of finding a common visual language and palette between the client and the maker and weaving their story into my work.”

Esna Su

“...Going to see contemporary crafts and art is really important for me. To give you an idea, I went back three times to see the Cecilia Vicuña installation at Tate Modern! I just really enjoy getting immersed into a rich piece of work. This is what I wish for my audience, too.

“I also think coming from a different cultural background but living in London already fosters creativity because I can look at things through different lenses. I reflect on how aspects of my Turkish-Arab heritage relate to traditions, customs and crafts here.”

If you want to attend the panel discussion hosted by Cockpit ‘Global Voices: International Infulences in Craft’ on 9th May at 6:30pm – 7pm or ‘Lunchtime lightening talks’ on 11th May at 1pm, book your place here.

Book now.