The National Centre for Craft and Design

The NCCD are excited to premiere the full version of this Design Museum touring exhibition focusing on the hidden architectural gems of the UK. The British landscape is rich with forgotten architecture: extraordinary buildings, structures and ideas that helped define the landscape of their time, and the technology of the future, but which are often unknown to the general public. Lesser Known Architecture – an ongoing photographic research project by Theo Simpson – seeks to document these structures, bringing their existence (and sometimes their plight) to a wider audience and acknowledging the architects and engineers who created such incredible work.

Featuring more than 30 sites not only in the capital, but across the United Kingdom as a whole, including Lincolnshire, Lesser Known Architecture will present an architectural epitaph for a forgotten era.

Pailing’s practice involves the transformation of everyday materials into sculptural objects, installations and interventions. The work is formed out of a playful, intuitive collaboration between maker and materials. She searches for something in an action rather than presenting a desired permanence.

Consequently, the objects created exist in a space between the made and the unmade: some are bound, restricted, fixed; others appear more precarious as though they could unwrap or unravel at any given time.

For the Window Collection Pailing presents her ‘Object a Day’ series; a large body of work made during the course of her residency with Visual Arts in Rural Communities (VARC).

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#helen-pailing-object-a-day

The second of our architecturally themed exhibitions; Space Craft,
is a Crafts Council Touring Exhibition that explores the relationship between craft making and our built environment.The exhibition brings together two disciplines, often considered as separate, and presents work by makers inspired by architecture, and architects that are deeply connected to making.

The exhibition was inspired by a 2010 Crafts magazine by architect Robin Sjoholm, which outlined frustration at how technology had transformed the process of creating buildings – decoupling design from an understanding of materiality and even physical space. He was not alone in his dissatisfaction, and recently a slew of young firms have emerged that put the physical act of making at the heart of their work; examples of which can be seen in this exhibition.
Makers have long been intrigued by architecture and space.

As Edmund de Waal once said, when a pot is thrown ‘you’re making a volume in a very short space of time; you’re creating an internal space.’ The engagement with architecture of the makers featured in this exhibition isn’t expressed in the depiction of buildings or drawing of cityscapes. Their work is architectural in an abstract sense, using materials and techniques to build form and create a sense of space.

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#space-craft

Alongside our Roof Gallery exhibition of Vija Celmins, we invite you to participate in our #Capture photography competition.

Take a photograph of the sky from our roof terrace balcony, or a location of your choice, and tweet us @nationalcraft. The winner’s photograph will be exhibited in the Centre during the Celmins exhibition.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#capture

James Hubble is a Lincoln based digital designer who codes and designs programmes that document and archive the decay and subsequent growth of mould on fruit
a process that he has found fascinating since leaving orange peel in a scanner for days by mistake.

Using a Raspberry Pi, infra-red sensors, circuitry and an archive of scanned images, James develops an interactive experience, whereby projected images flow and evolve in response to movement and gestures made by the audience.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Inspired by the work and process of jeweller Kate Bajic, NCCD has created its very own botanical studio. Here, you can explore our colourful, sensory, mini garden, equipped with pencil and sketching paper. You will be able to create plant-inspired artwork whilst learning more about how the inspiration for Kate’s creations ‘grow’.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Each year the NCCD offers designers and makers in the East Midlands to apply for an opportunity to exhibit in our Roof Gallery. This year’s selected maker is Jeweller, Kate Bajic.

In 2013, after 10 years of practice, Kate decided to try and take her work in a new direction. She returned to Loughborough University to undertake an Art & Design (Studio Practice) Masters degree. This exhibition gives Kate the chance to show the results of this process.

Returning to study has both challenged and motivated Kate, strengthening and developing her making skills and introducing her to new materials and techniques that will be seen in the exhibition, including porcelain, loom weaving and laser cutting.

Kate’s work has always come from studying natural structures and forms. Drawing on her past inspirations, Kate decided to focus on four specific lichen species as the main theme to her new work. This has allowed her to develop a series of pieces illustrating elements of the physical and chemical forms of each lichen, and their functions in the wider environment.

As well as Kate’s beautiful jewellery, the exhibition also includes a behind the scenes look at Kate’s creative journey as well as a look into the science that has inspired the work.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#national-centre-presents-kate-bajic-lichenography

The NCCD brings the work of acclaimed American artist Vija Celmins to Sleaford in this ARTIST ROOMS exhibition.

Born in Latvia in 1938, Vija Celmins is best known for her intricate, monochromatic images of a select range of subjects in a host of media including a variety of printmaking methods, charcoal and drawing.

In 1966 Celmins began to use photographs as the subject for her works, creating what she described as ‘impossible images’ taken from a found source rather than from first hand observation, which remind us of the complexity of the simplest things and prompt us to question our place in the universe that surrounds us.

The work on loan to the NCCD includes a range of subject matters including the ocean, the desert, the night sky and spiders’ webs. Through these works, the show explores the variety of printmaking techniques used by Celmins, which each take up to a year to complete.

Alongside this show, there will be a number of events to get involved in, inspired by and exploring Celmins’ work and techniques.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#artist-rooms-vija-celmins

Emilie Osborne is a UK based Paper Artist, specialising in three-dimensional surface manipulations for creative environments and commercial settings.

Emilie creates innovative geometric designs exploiting optical illusions and effects using shape, depth, colour and perspective. Emilie graduated from Arts University Bournemouth in 2013 and was awarded the New Designers One Year On award in week 2 of New Designers 2014, resulting in her exhibition at NCCD.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Sound Matters considers the connections between craft practice and sound art. Seven contemporary works have been selected to illustrate ways in which these two distinct practices collide. Exploring the physicality of sound, the works are characterised by both their sonic properties and materiality

The makers and artists represented in this exhibition demonstrate how an engagement with sound also implicates an engagement with matter. Drawn from across creative disciplines, each work is indicative of a different approach: looking to traditional craft heritage and processes such as weaving and woodturning to create new sound forms, playing with shared technologies and language and revealing the sounds of materials.

With its equal emphasis on sound and form, Sound Matters offers a new and multi-sensory engagement with craft, with each work demanding to be heard as well as seen. With works of varying scale and volume, it is as important to listen as to look to fully experience the show.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

These popular and energetic workshops are led by professional storyteller Kirsty Mead of Rhubarb Theatre, who combines storytelling, music, movement and making within her fun and interactive sessions.

Each creative session will start with a story and end with every child having created something to take home and enjoy.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Little ones under 5 love our fun craft and design sessions. Run each month, they will be encouraged to explore one of our inspiring exhibitions, followed by lots of messy and creative play. The hands-on activities are designed to build on their interests, develop their abilities and celebrate their ideas. Each child will always have a ‘make’ to take home, no matter how experimental they’ve been!

Please note parents/carers are required to stay to supervise the children throughout the session. Tea, coffee and juice are provided.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Later this year, our Roof Gallery will host an exhibition by textile artist Ruth Singer exploring how we respond to and interact with textiles in our daily lives.

Join Ruth to see her at work and talk about the forthcoming exhibition on the following dates:

24 Feb, 11am - 4pm
30 Mar, 1 - 3pm Family-friendly Easter drop-in activities
29 Apr, 11am - 4pm
29 May, 1 -3pm Family-friendly half term drop-in activities

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#artist-in-residence-ruth-singer

Join felt maker and curator Laura Mabbutt for another of her popular felt making workshops. This time the focus will be on exploring a range of techniques to create felt jewellery. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Do you love to design, make and create?

NCCD Young Designers offers young people (ages 12 upwards) the chance to work with amazing artists and designers to explore craft and design, develop skills and confidence, have special access to NCCD exhibitions, and the potential to develop exhibitions and events of your own.

Get involved with our FREE monthly drop-in sessions, held at NCCD on the 1st Saturday of the month, 1-4pm.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Join artist Phil Bowman as he leads another series of life drawing classes. As an essential ingredient in developing skills of observation and drawing these sessions are perfect for beginners and practiced artists alike. Models will vary each session and a range of materials will be available for use. If you would like to use something specific please bring along your own supplies to avoid disappointment.

A limited number of easels are available for use.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/#life-drawing-class-6

Get back to basics throughout the spring season with artist Kate Robotham for a series of workshops aimed at exploring a different element of the foundations of art and design each month.

These sessions are the perfect opportunity to develop your creative drawing skills and also your portfolio. Suitable for beginners and improvers of all ages and abilities.

This session focuses on depth and perspective

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

In this second workshop running alongside her exhibition, Kate Bajic offers a chance to try your hand at designing and creating both a ring and a pair of cufflinks in silver. Ideal for making gifts for family and friends.

Kate will demonstrate a variety of decorative and technical processes giving you the opportunity to design your own individual pieces. This workshop is suitable for all abilities.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Get your Easter holidays off to a creative start. Using British garden birds as the inspiration, this fun workshop with Janet Bates will help you create your very own feathered friend from recycled paper to take home and display. 

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Join Samantha Robinson for an Easter holiday afternoon workshop creating spring bugs and flowers from textiles, beads and wire.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Laura Mabbutt will be pitched in the NCCD Shop to demo her felt making techniques. There will be the opportunity for visitors to get involved too! Fun for children and adults alike.

Suitable for

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Get back to basics throughout the spring season with artist Kate Robotham for a series of workshops aimed at exploring a different element of the foundations of art and design each month.

These sessions are the perfect opportunity to develop your creative drawing skills and also your portfolio. Suitable for beginners and improvers of all ages and abilities.

This session focuses on drawing from observation.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

Get back to basics throughout the spring season with artist Kate Robotham for a series of workshops aimed at exploring a different element of the foundations of art and design each month.

These sessions are the perfect opportunity to develop your creative drawing skills and also your portfolio. Suitable for beginners and improvers of all ages and abilities.

This session focuses on creating compositions.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/

This half term join Rhubarb Theatre for a fun Saturday afternoon drop-in workshop making your own shadow puppets and acting out their characters.

Suitable for

Admission

Website

http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/whatson/