Today's Masters meet Tomorrow's Talents

An exhibition presented by the Michelangelo Foundation

At Cromwell Place for London Craft Week

14-19 May, 10 am- 6pm

Free entrance

Sunday 4pm closing

• Discover co-creations handcrafted by international craft talents and European master artisans, participants of the first edition of Homo Faber Fellowship
• Explore the myriad craft techniques and design approaches behind Art Deco-inspired co-creations
• Meet aspiring artisans and listen to their stories of collaboration in a master’s workshop

During London Craft Week, the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship presents an exhibition at Cromwell Place dedicated to the participants of the first edition of Homo Faber Fellowship, a life-changing programme which facilitates the transmission of craft knowledge and skills from one generation to the next. Developed with partners from the Foundation’s network and supported by long-term partner Jaeger-LeCoultre, the unique programme includes a one-month creative and entrepreneurial masterclass developed and certified by ESSEC Business School and Passa Ao Futuro and a six-month placement in a master’s workshop in Europe, culminating in a co-creation project for each duo. Today’s masters meet tomorrow’s talents celebrates the creative results of international craft talents collaborating with master artisans across Europe.

When Spanish fellow Alba Fernandez Castro stepped into the workshop of Portuguese master basketweaver Isabel Martins, it was the beginning of an exciting collaboration that led to the creation of a large-scale dome made from bracejo using the spiral technique with gold thread details. In the French countryside of the Loire Valley, master featherworker Julien Vermeulen worked hand-in-hand with emerging talent Matéo Laurent to create an ear-cuff assembled in three parts in gilded silver and feather marquetry.

In his Dublin workshop, master silversmith Séamus Gill collaborated with aspiring artisan Claire Mooney to bring together their shared interest in marine engineering and handcraft a special silver tea set. When Greek master ceramicist Giannis Zois welcomed young Uzbek talent Shokhrukh Rakhimov to his Athens workshop, the pair set to work on exchanging ideas and skills. They interpreted the Art Deco theme with a monumental totem decorated with flora and fauna illustrations, made from porcelain and African mahogany, the decorative piece references Greek and Uzbek architecture.

The creations on display showcase a diverse range of crafts from gold thread embroidery to featherworking, stone sculpture to basketweaving, and illustrate firsthand how innovation and tradition blend to bring to life original objects. At the exhibition, see up close a wall mounted headboard decorated with real flowers cast in natural resin or admire the technology behind a dynamic watch box. Learn about artisanal bespoke bicycle making or explore the intricate craft of knife making and engraving.

During the exhibition, discover Homo Faber Guide, a digital platform which allows users to discover contemporary craftsmanship worldwide, offering a new way to visit travel destinations. A tailor-made London craft itinerary will reveal the best artisan workshops and craft-related experiences across the city.

The 20 duos of master artisans and fellows participating in the inaugural Homo Faber Fellowship who are exhibiting their co-creations at London Craft Week are:

IRELAND

Ceramics: Mike Byrne & Noel Donnellan

Silversmithing: Séamus Gill & Claire Mooney (Ulster University, IRL)

Cabinetmaking: Stephen O'Briain & Richard Butler (Atlantic Technical University, IRL)

Furniture making: Sasha Sykes & Jackson Byrne (Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, IRL)

FRANCE

Bicycle building: Sébastien Klein & Tom Even (Ecole Boulle, FR)

Metalworking and engraving: Cédric Lamballais & Léandre Le Bail, (Ecole Estienne, FR)

Featherworking: Julien Vermeulen & Matéo Laurent (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, FR)

GREECE

Jewellery making: Akis Goumas & Karolos Vlachiotis (Art Jewellery School, GR)

Ceramics: Giannis Zois & Shokhrukh Rakhimov (Kamoliddin Behzod Institute, Uzbekistan)

Stone sculpture: Tom von Kaenel & Clara Coujaty (Ecole Boulle, FR)

PORTUGAL

Stone sculpture : Alzira Antunes & Corentin Fossemo (L’Association Ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France, FR)

Textile design: Vanessa Barragão & Yaroslava Shkurat (Ecole Duperré, FR)

Basketweaving: Isabel Martins, & Alba Fernandez Castro (Escola Massana, ESP)

Cabinetmaking: Tomás Viana & Soraia Santa (Ricardo Espírito Santo e Silva Foundation, PT)

Wood sculpture: Andreia Almeida at Ricardo Espírito Santo e Silva Foundation & Manuel Pinto (Ricardo Espírito Santo e Silva Foundation, PT)

SPAIN

Engraving: Dan Benveniste & Guillermo Garcia (Artediez, ESP)

Gold thread embroidery: José Luis Sánchez Expósito & Gonzalo Garcia Cuevas (Centro de Formación Profesional Dolores Sopeña, ESP)

Textile design: Camila Puya de Arcos & Sofia Lausero (Escola Massana, ESP)

Metalworking: Ramón Recuero Ibáñez & David González Parrilla (Escuela de Herreros Ramón Recuero, ESP)

UNITED KINGDOM

Textile design: Nicola Cliffe & Emily Criddle (University of Edinburgh, UK)

Today’s masters meet tomorrow’s talents is curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, a non-profit institution based in Geneva, which champions contemporary craftspeople worldwide with the aim of promoting a more human, inclusive and sustainable future.