OUT&ABOUT
FROM LEFT The
LONDON MOVER & SHAKER
PIYUSH SURI
With UK crafts booming, the founder of Handmade in Britain noticed a
gap in the market to showcase up-and-coming makers. We asked him about
his craft fair enterprise Handmade at Kew, taking place in October.
Can you tell us about your
own background in crafts?
I started my own design brand
in 2005, focusing on screen-
and block-printed interior and
fashion accessories. In 2008,
I co-founded Akin & Suri, where I was the
creative director and designed patterns for
textiles and wallpapers. I now work as a design
consultant for companies developing patterns
for textiles, wallpapers and interior products.
How did Handmade in Britain come about?
After graduating as a designer-maker I looked
for platforms to launch my interior and
fashion accessories, and I soon saw a niche
for a British designer-maker show. When
Chelsea craft fair moved on from the Old
Town Hall, I grabbed the chance and, in 2007,
the first Handmade in Britain took place.
What can visitors expect at the Kew show?
More than 200 designer-makers from
disciplines such as ceramics, glass, furniture,
sculpture, fashion and jewellery. Everything is
handmade and visitors will have a chance to
buy or commission directly from the makers.
Which exhibitors should garden and
interiors enthusiasts not miss? Mallon
Foundry, based in Northern Ireland, creates
the most beautiful cast bronze sculptures for
xvi | H&G | OCTOBER 2016
Handmade at Kew
pavilion; a bowl
by Ali Tomlin;
John Noble-Milner
makes bronze
animal sculptures;
Wallflower
Londons pieces;
ceramic art by
Pina Lavelli.
interiors and gardens. Wallflower London
crafts one-off ornate flower heads in
earthenware and porcelain. Ali Tomlin
makes tactile wheel-thrown porcelain bowls
and Morrison Thomas, a fourth generation
woodworker, produces turned vessels in
English hardwoods but they are just a few
of the many talents exhibiting.
Are there other shows across the country?
Handmade in Britain, our flagship show
at Chelsea Old Town Hall, runs from 11
to 13 November. Handmade Edinburgh,
from 28 to 30 October, is a consumer-
oriented show with UK makers and artists
exhibiting. Sculpt at Kew, in 2017, will
be an international outdoor sculpture
exhibition of small- and large-scale work.
What trends have you identified in craft?
Paper and book art, vegetable dyeing and
recycled/restyled projects are all coming
through. I see a lot of mixing of craft
disciplines to create unique objects and
technology in the form of 3D printing and
laser cutting is becoming popular.
Why did you choose Kew? The gardens
are iconic and the show ticket will give full
access to them. Its a fabulous day out and
an opportunity to indulge in heritage,
horticulture and crafts.
DESTINATION CRAFT
We asked Piyush Suri
to pick his top five creative
hotspots around the UK
LONDON The sheer numbers of makers
and non-profit organisations make the
capital a hub of creativity.
MANCHESTER A rich cultural heritage
and the Great Northern Contemporary
Craft Fair mean this city is a haven for
small start-ups.
EDINBURGH With Craft Scotlands office
based in the city, there is plenty of support
for Scottish makers and an opportunity to
promote craft on a higher level.
BOVEY TRACEY The home of the
Contemporary Craft Festival, this
Devonshire market town is well
established on the craft show circuit.
CARDIFF A new creative hub for Welsh
FEATURE JULIET BENNING
industry reflects government backing for
crafts, while Made by Hand is one of the
largest art and craft events in Wales.
Handmade at Kew will take place from
6 to 9 October. Visit handmadeinbritain.
co.uk/shows/kew.