Celebrating its 21st year in 2025, the Craft Council’s Collect Fair, which ran from 28th February to 2nd March, never fails to delight and surprise.
The Thames from Blackfriars Bridge, photo: Emma Boden
The perfect antidote to a decidedly grey London day, it was interesting to start my visit in the VIP lounge where assembled press and VIPs heard insights from Isobel Dennis, who has since stepped away, following a successful 7 years as the fair’s director, and Natalie Melton, the Crafts Council’s executive director.
The Collect Team were on top form at the press/VIP preview, representing L-R, Somerset House, The Crafts Council and the Collect Fair, 2025
Will Storey, Ammanoid, wooden relief sculpture, 124x124cm, presented by Cube Gallery
A recent Crafts Council survey, summarised by Melton, highlighted the many challenges currently faced by makers in the UK. Exacerbated by export issues and the rising cost of living, most artists and craftspeople, apart from the lucky few, survive on passion, resilience and serendipity. Plus ça change…
Jagged Art’s fabulous gallery wall – various artists
That said, an aura of optimism always pervades the Collect show, as new ideas, original works and an explosion of creativity are unveiled. The independent advisory panel that helps select exhibitors has forged relationships with 40 or so national and international galleries that continue to push social and cultural boundaries.
Ikuko Iwamoto, “I ate lots of plastics, and now I am your dinner. Enjoy!” Seabass, 2025, porcelain and found man made object, 34x40x8cm presented by Cavaliero Finn
Sustainability and environmental concerns are, crucially, on many creative minds. Some focussed on working with natural materials, others on repurposing and recycling whilst exploring new finishes. There was much to surprise, seduce and offer social commentary.
Paola di Legge, Grounded Perspectives, sustainably harvested and preserved moss, presented by Design and Crafts Council Ireland
Tim Rawlinson, Presence of Absence, freeblown glass, cut and polished, presented by Peter Layton London Glassblowing
The show’s venue offers a stunning backdrop for exhibiting works of art, all within the sphere of craft and design. One of the benefits of Somerset House’s layout is having a room with 4 walls. The impressive fireplaces, as well as the window areas in many of the exhibition spaces, are a real bonus for creating displays. This grand yet ‘homely’ feel allows many visitors to more easily imagine hand crafted pieces in their own residence or office space, with the upper floor providing some off-the-scale backdrops.
Ralph Simpson, Regeneration 1, driftwood fence post butt, Dracen sp., day lily, Siberian iris, papyrus, hemp and silk thread, 66x69x43, presented by Craft Alliance Atlantic Association
Na Yong-hwan, Lidded Vessel, 2024, stoneware, white slip. The artist has been focussing on Buncheong ceramics for over 30 years, using traditional techniques, primarily Buncheong inlays and stamping. These practices are based on the Korean sentiment and aesthetics of ‘restoring the old and creating the new’, represented by Han Collection
Exhibitors are increasingly drawn from a global pool, with many countries having formed umbrella organisations to support their leading craftspeople.
Kim Pan-ki, Moon Jar, 2024, porcelain, 42x46x46cm, represented by Icheon Ceramic by Han Gallery
This included groups from Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as well as Canada’s Craft Alliance Atlantic Association. The latter paid special attention to original people of Turtle Island, with diverse artists contributing to a blend of traditional and contemporary craft. Their theme was Here and Now, Connecting Culture and Landscape through Water.
Hong Kong’s The Gallery by SOIL focussed on lacquerware, with makers drawn from different Asian cultures, blending the traditional with the contemporary.
Saki Moriyama, The Scenery Inside the Jar, natural lacquer, sea shell and egg shell, 83x26x6xD1.3cm – exploring the essence of time and space, and the boundaries between spirit and matter as well as fiction and reality, represented by The Gallery by SOIL
Julie Arkell’s wondrous characters, glimpsed in her mind’s eye, were hugely popular judging by the quantity of red dots. She loves used and found materials, mixing scraps with textiles, paper and glue to form a delightful mixed-media menagerie. Represented by CAA.
Some 400 individual artists were involved in Collect this year, including the emerging craftspeople showcased in the popular Collect Open. Some artists filled their gallerist’s entire space, notably those working in multiple media.
The focus for all exhibitors is on works that have been created within the 12 months preceding the fair. Thus, Collect always offers a lively reflection of current trends, with many makers completing works just before the opening.
Antonio Bozic, Ama Low Coffee Table, black and white dyed poplar, walnut burl, black-syed ash and Richard Butler, Eventus, black walnut, Irish oak, oil, both represented by Design and Crafts Council Ireland
Manya Goldman, Pitstop II, 2021, hand embroidery, 22x26cm, represented by Candida Stevens
Narrative art and craft continues to feature, going from strength to strength. So many pieces told stories of people and place, through materiality, redeploying historic techniques, recycling found materials, exploring geographical boundaries, as well as reflecting life within and beyond our planet.
Susan Moxley, Landscape, repurposed vintage Greek hand-spun and handwoven goat and sheep’s wool, cotton & linen dyed with natural pigments, flax, hessian and thread, 137x60cm, represented by Jenny Blythe Fine Art
Text and all images © Armadillo Central, 2025, photographed at The Craft Council’s Collect Fair in Somerset House, London.
Dates for next year are already announced – 27th February to 1st March – for artists and galleries interested in participating, keep an eye on the Crafts Council website.
Silke Trekel, L-R, Moth and Seerosen brooches, both 2017, porcelain, silver, thread, Galerie Marzee
Nicholas Lees, Purple Orbit, 24.19, 2024, Parian, soluble cobalt and soluble gold, 19.5×19.5×19.5cm, represented by Cavaliero Finn
