FourFront - Contemporary Scottish craft

24 November 2012 to 09 March 2013

Craft Scotland showcased contemporary Scottish craft practice in a partnership exhibition with Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

FourFront opened at Manchester Craft and Design Centre on 24 November 2012, and ran until 09 March 2013. Working in glass, textiles, paper and metal, the inventive makers selected for the exhibition push the boundaries of their craft and embrace new methods, technologies and materials to create work.

About the FourFront Makers

Kirsty Eaglesfield developed a new collection of metal work which evolves from her current range and explores surface pattern. She investigated laser and water-jet cutting whilst creating innovative press-form embossed pieces. After successfully completing her 1st class honours degree at Edinburgh College of Art in 2008, Kirsty went on to work in Schoonhoven, Holland on the Silver in Motion Program for a year, and worked as an Artist in Residence at Edinburgh College of Art until August 2010.

Rachel Elliott created a new body of work designed specifically for the space at Manchester Craft and Design Centre. Using water-jet cutting flat glass and screen-printing with kiln-fired enamels, Rachel progressed her work from individual pieces to a multiple piece installation. Rachel is inspired by the intricate details of life and her work is essentially a representational comment on the world surrounding us as well as a constant challenge to her technical abilities.  Rachel completed her BA (Hons) degree at Edinburgh College of Art in 2007 and has since undertaken further workshops at Northlands Glass, Caithness and the Glass Furnace, Istanbul.

Eliza Kesuma creates textiles and printed papers using imagery from modern urban society. The patterns often include objects and machinery parts which are an everyday occurrence in contemporary life. Her work combines hand drawn illustrations and traditional screen-printing with computer manipulated imagery of modern life. Born and raised in Jakarta with Singaporean and Indonesian parentage, she has lived and worked in Scotland for over 11 years. She studied printed textiles at Heriot Watt School of Textiles and Design and has gained wide design experience of working at a range of UK studios.

Mhari McMullan’s work is based around an evolving textile and paper collection. Her work explores pleating, embossing and folding techniques combining traditional origami patterns with modern methods. Mhari has a particular interest in blurring boundaries between disciplines and practices.  Mhari graduated from Textile Design (specialising in print) at Central Saint Martin’s College in London in 2003. She works by applying the same ideas and techniques to a variety of materials.

Photographs from FourFront

More about FourFront:

In Spring 2012, Craft Scotland and Manchester Craft and Design Centre called for applications from innovative makers creating work at the ‘forefront of craft practice.’ We wanted to hear from makers in Scotland who utilised new technologies, pushed a traditional technique to its limits, and explored new areas of their own practice.

Kate Day, Director of Manchester Craft and Design Centre said: “We’re thrilled to be promoting the best of Scotland’s creative talent in partnership with Craft Scotland, and can’t wait to introduce our visitors to a new generation of Scottish makers. FourFront will confound expectations and challenge stereotypes, celebrating artists who embrace new technologies and untraditional sources to create fresh objects that complement an urban setting.  The exhibition marks the culmination of our 30th anniversary year, and reflects the Centre’s role in celebrating craft and design talent from Manchester and beyond.’”

Emma Walker, CEO of Craft Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Manchester Craft and Design Centre, particularly in its 30th year. Having lived in Manchester I am fully aware of the city’s creativity, buzz and infectious enthusiasm for craft. The Craft Scotland team are delighted to be showcasing Scottish craft, and particularly the new approaches to work from each of our makers, in Manchester this November.”

Keep up to date with FourFront news on twitter using the hashtag #fourfront

About Manchester Craft and Design Centre:

FourFront took place in the 30th Anniversary year of Manchester Craft and Design Centre. The Centre is home to over 30 designer and makers who create and sell their work from nineteen studio-boutiques on site. It also includes an exhibition space and a café which are open to the public six days a week and receives 80,000 visitors annually. The exhibition programme is both innovative and boundary-pushing with recent programming including established artists such as a glassmaker Richard William Wheater and ceramicist Professor Stephen Dixon, and emerging talent such as textile artist/sculptor Laura Jane Blake. 

Connect with Manchester Craft and Design Centre:

Find out more at http://www.craftanddesign.com/

Twitter: @manchestercraft
Facebook: /manchester.craft

Manchester Craft & Design Centre
17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JD
t: +44 (0)161 832 4274
e: info@craftanddesign.com

About Craft Scotland:

Craft Scotland is a Scottish charity, working to unite, inspire and champion Scottish craft.

We create opportunities for makers to exhibit, sell and promote their work, and for the public to see, purchase and learn about craft. We work to unite the Scottish craft community and connect them with local and international audiences. We do this through our varied campaigns, exhibitions, events and website.

Connect with Craft Scotland:

Find out more at http://www.craftscotland.org

Twitter: @craftscotland
Facebook: /craftscotland

Location:

Manchester Craft & Design Centre
17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JD
t: +44 (0)161 832 4274
e: info@craftanddesign.com