Out of the Ordinary: Spectacular Craft

by Laurie Britton-Newell, Glenn Adamson (Contributor), Tanya Harrod (Contributor)

Out of the Spectacular Craft takes a unique look at a group of international artists who place craft at the heart of their practice, transforming everyday subjects and ordinary materials into works that are out of the ordinary. This book features, among others, the ephemeral ice and chocolate jewellery of Naomi Filmer, paper-cutting techniques of Lu Shengzhong reflecting the imagery of Chinese Folk Art, the almost hidden installations by Yoshihiro Suda, thread and lace-work of Anne Wilson and found-metal sculptures by Olu Amoda.
In addition to the objects themselves, photographic studies of the studios offer a real sense of each artist's, work process and studio environment, while a series of specially commissioned illustrations contextualize the artists' works. Far from pigeon-holing 'crafts' and 'contemporary art' separately, these innovative artists show that craft is a fundamental concern across many disciplines, and this exploration of materials and traditional techniques achieves extraordinary outcomes.

Genres: Art, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Georgia Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artists that are looking closely at the small details of things. Susan Collis, who embeds a step-ladder with mother of pearl to look like paint splatters... Yoshihiro Suda, who carves a tiny weed out of wood and 'plants' it inconspicuously in the crack of a museum wall. Careful, poetic, work that builds meaning stitch by stitch.---Interviews with the artists.

[Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrote my Undergrad Thesis related to this catalog. I believe there is hope within this book - inspiring an interest in craft within our current age. Yet much of the writing is somewhat problematic. I like this book a lot but just would have written it a bit differently.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely catalogue to accompany the exhibition of the same name at the V&A. It includes a provocative essay by Glenn Adamson, and interviews with the six artists.