Crafting materials, both modern and traditional were strongly presented at this year’s exhibitions. The Journeywoman is inspired by the European tradition of Journeymen. Designer Xenia Mosley has been travelling down the River Ouse, East Sussex, in search of the traditional skills, crafts and materials still being practiced in Britain today. Testing various craftspeople’s patience and willingness to share, Xenia turns up on their doorsteps asking for insight into their practice as a modern-day Journeywoman.
The basic, solid, strong and durable materials like concrete were popular on one end of the material choices. Especially polished concrete has more and more applications on this year’s show.
On the other end the best example of experimental design into new materials was Julia Lohmann’s work, She is the V&A Designer in Residence who is developing new craft techniques to create objects from kelp, thereby exploring its potential as a sustainable alternative to a range of manmade materials. Lohmann’s research is part of her PhD studentship between the Royal College of Art and Victoria & Albert Museum, funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
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