QEST at Craftworks 2024: exhibiting makers announced

Makers working in a diverse range of crafts will be showing with QEST at the inaugural Craftworks trade fair, presented by QEST Ambassador and TV personality Jay Blades MBE.

The three-day, free to attend exhibition aims to honour the past, celebrate the present and secure the future of craft.

It’s taking place from Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 May at the Shoreditch Town Hall and is a feature of London Craft Week.

Craftworks will feature works by both traditional and contemporary makers, as well as live seminars, workshops and panel sessions with some of the finest minds in the craft sector.

QEST is proud to be an event partner for Craftworks, alongside Cockpit, Design Nation, Heritage Crafts, Crafts Council, Reclaim, The King’s Foundation and Black Artisans.

We are delighted to have a stand at the event, featuring works by Alumni Kate Colin, Robert Walker, Sofia Karakatsanis, Justyna Medon, David Morrish and Lulu Harrison.

Kate is a Glasgow-based paper folder whose work explores how light, colour and geometry interact.

Robert is a reverse sign maker based in Marsden who is passionate about typography, detail and keeping traditional skills alive.

Sofia is a furniture maker based in the West Midlands. Her work focuses on the interplay between the beautiful and the grotesque with delicate yet repellent forms.

Justyna is a wallpaper conservator specialising in custom hand-printed collections of wall hangings, textiles and artefacts.

David is the founder of Kingfly Embroidery, renowned for his vibrant, textural and innovative designs created using both hand and digital techniques.

Lulu is a glass artist who incorporates waste from local fishing industries to create glass pieces.

The following QEST Alumni will also be exhibiting at Craftworks:

• Bex Simon
• Kumiko Kihara
• Mel Howse
• Momoka Gomi
• Susannah Weiland
• Willow Bloomfield

Search other exhibiting makers here.

‘Material Masters’ Friday 17 May, 2.30pm

Three of our makers who are carving out their niche in the craft industry will join a talk chaired by QEST CEO Deborah Pocock on Friday afternoon.

They’ll share the hours, the training and the eureka moments that have shaped their practice; where tradition meets innovation in their processes; and how they are working with designers and brands today.

Find QEST in the Assembly Hall, near the stage.

Craftworks is free to attend and tickets are available here: www.craftworks.show/register-now