Made in the Middle: Major Contemporary Craft Exhibition opens

Craftspace present a wealth of talented makers from across the Midlands.

On the 6th March 2017, Craftspace’s contemporary craft exhibition Made in the Middle, will be on show at the Parkside Gallery in Birmingham. Made in the Middle is a recurring touring exhibition of high quality contemporary craft and applied art from the Midlands. The eighth in the series, the exhibition provides a great opportunity to purchase and commission work from some of the best makers in the region. This exhibition is developed in partnership with Herbert and is part of Craftspace’s 30th anniversary programme.

Featuring both recent graduates and makers with established reputations, there is a wealth of creativity on display, including ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and textiles.  Selected by an expert panel through open entry, it promotes the best of contemporary craft from makers living and working in the Midlands or with a strong recent regional connection.
28 makers have been selected by a panel of curators and craft sector specialists. The makers offer an insight into the skill, creativity and innovative practice within the region.

‘Craft is a vital source of revenue and innovation to the UK, ‘Craft generates £3.4 billion for the UK economy…150,000 people are employed in businesses driven by craft skills.’ (Crafts Council 2014). With recent changes to country’s economy we are keen to highlight and explore the value of craft both in economic terms and social contribution. Through the work and careers of the selected makers, the exhibition will explore enterprise – making as a business – through life of the sole trader . We will also build on the development of digital practices since the last exhibition.’ Emma Daker, Exhibitions and Projects Development Manager, Craftspace.

Selected exhibitors include jeweller Dauvit Alexander who creates striking jewellery for men combining found materials and precious gemstones, Aimee Bollu who also takes inspiration from found items which she combines with beautiful minimal ceramic vessels, John Grayson who uses traditional metal forming and enamel decorating processes to create whimsical, humorous and decorative metal objects and Karina Thompson who pushes the boundaries of digital embroidery.

The exhibition will continue its tour to major galleries across the Midlands into 2018 raising the profile of regional makers and giving them the opportunity to sell their work to regional and national collectors. Visitors are encouraged to consider commissioning new work from local makers and a range of more affordable work will be available to buy, whether your budget is a few pounds or a thousand pounds.
A new website celebrating 30 years of Made in the Middle has recently launched. The online exhibition features 30 makers from almost 250 who have exhibited during the 30 year history of the exhibition and draws on the wealth of resources created to tell the story of Made in the Middle from 1988 to the present.  madeinthemiddle.org

Made in the Middle is a partnership between Craftspace and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in collaboration with The National Centre for Craft & Design.
#madeitm30 #madeitm @tweetcraftspace. craftspace.co.uk

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