Take a look at the exhibition
In the first exhibition of the Harewood Biennial, leading UK-based makers come together to challenge preconceptions about what the word means today and the role craft can play in shaping culture, identity and society, all set within the context of Harewood House. From fashion embroiderer Jenny King to award-winning furniture designer Yinka Ilori and glasswork, ballet shoes, jeans and more, there is the full breadth of craftsmanship to discover.
Why craft, why now, why Harewood?
We are undoubtedly witnessing a resurgence of interest in craft. Harewood House itself is a fascinating platform to explore discussions around the subject. The house was built, decorated and furnished in the final days before the first industrial revolution, which would eventually spawn the Arts & Crafts movement. Our exhibition creates an intriguing contrast between historic and contemporary. The exhibits might look very different, but many techniques have not changed significantly. I hope visitors will see beyond aesthetic differences between “old and new” to question why these crafted exhibits are interesting to us today. What do they add to life?
Originally William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement made a principled rejection of the Industrial Age, back in the late 19th century. With the explosive emergence of industry, there was a belief that it would destroy culture and society.
Today we are approaching the fourth industrial revolution, witnessing the rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and automation. I believe this is the reason for our current craft revival: in a world more reliant than ever on digital and virtual elements, people want to reconnect with the physical realm. We are witnessing times of enormous change beyond our control, characterised by forces we don’t understand. Craft is something fundamental. It is an innately human expression. We find it comforting and reassuring.
Who are the exhibitors and what will they bring?
Every exhibitor is fascinating in their own right and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know them and their work, and finding out why what they do matters to them. There is a broad mix: Wakefield-based paper artist and illustrator Andy Singleton is showing beautiful poetic sculptures; Welsh sustainable denim-makers Hiut Denim are demonstrating how craft can economically and socially boost a community; Fox Umbrellas prove that making one thing better than anyone else translates into a global multi-generational business run from a small workshop on the outskirts of Croydon. Visitors will discover Freed of London ballet shoes in The Music Room, with portraits of their work, together with the component parts and a heap of finished slippers. Every single one of the 330,000 slippers made each year is handmade to fit a single foot.
The aim is to show beautiful, contemporary handcrafted objects, against a classic backdrop and to take the time to not only admire, but to probe, question and consider. Craft has a vital place in contemporary life – we want visitors to leave inspired by the many wonderful stories and delighted by the many objects we often take for granted that are the result of another human’s extraordinary knowledge, time, care and skill.
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”.
William Morris
Harewood Biennial 2019, Useful/Beautiful: Why Craft Matters
In a house that has craft running through its DNA, the inaugural exhibition of the Harewood Biennial gathered together 26 makers, studios and brands to ask the question to them and visitors ‘Why Craft Matters’ today. The displays brought together inspiring stories and strong opinions and crucial lessons for contemporary life: resourcefulness, respect, resilience and repair.
Harewood Biennial 2019, Useful/Beautiful: Why Craft Matters was curated by Hugo Macdonald and ran from 22 March – 22 September 2019
Exhibiting makers: Kate Holland, 1882 Ltd, Jenny King Studio, Juli Bolaños Durman, Jahday Ford, Hiut Denim, Michael May Knives, McNair Shirts, Superfolk, Maria Sigma, Effie Burns, Timorous Beasties, Simon Hassan, Lena Peters, Andy Singleton, Max Lamb, Yinka Ilori, Faye Toogood, Anna Barlow, Freed of London, Anthony Burrill, Leszek Sikon, Reiko Kaneko, Hilary Burns, Netherton Foundry, Fox Umbrellas
With thanks
Arts Council England
G . F Smith
Art Fund
Crafts Council