Join me as I take a look at two of the artists and makers who will be participating in Cluster’s much-anticipated London Craft Week showcase this autumn. These are my personal choices and my own explorations into their practices; I’m really looking forward to seeing all the work in the flesh in the coming months as the global arts and cultural scenes safely adapt to a ‘new normal’. After all, there is nothing like losing yourself in the work of a talented craft maker...

The first artist I have a strong desire to explore further is Cathy Jacobs, who grew up in the suburbs of the very industrial city of Michigan. Some may be of the persuasion that it’s a dated analysis to bring in an artist’s geographical background while thinking about their work, but realistically it plays a huge part in all stages of the creative process, from sourcing materials, making relevant connections, as well as the aesthetics of the environment, the sociopolitical realities of nearby communities... I could go on!

Jacobs’ work fascinates me because visually it has a magnetic draw that reminds me of Georgiana Houghton, the Spiritualist medium from the Victorian era who produced stunning ‘Spirit Drawings’ led by the gift she claimed to have in engaging with the afterlife. Evidently, Jacobs and Houghton are not identical in their visual or technical approaches, and Jacobs’ use of textile weaving is a three-dimensional exploration of colour and texture, whereas Houghton produced works on paper. However, the recent handloom tapestry series provides this beautiful marriage of two- and three-dimensional materiality, and the story behind them is rather pleasing, given that they were a compromise when the artist could not access her studio due to the pandemic. Of course this is pleasing in that the artist was able to continue making, albeit in new ways. In creating portable adaptations of her normally large-scale works, it is amazing to see such a strong example of an artist taking a fresh look at their own practice. Being advised to stay home has been something of a forced removal from traditional arts spaces and institutions; we have not been able to visit galleries or museums and artists have had to make work outside of their studio environment, that is if they feel able to do so.

This personal touch to the works, with their associated stories, can considerably enhance an artwork or object. Jacobs’ handloom tapestries are formed through a stream of consciousness, rather than a contrived plan by the artist, creating dream-like shapes. This is where I’d like to bring in another artist we will be able to spot at London Craft Week: Camilla Lundblad Iliefski. She has been a practicing artist since the 1990s but in the past decade has been experimenting in a tufting technique. I’m sure you will agree from checking out recent artworks that Iliefski has absolutely mastered this incredibly personal and hand-crafted technique, and she now teaches at the School of Design and Crafts at University of Gothenburg, where she is imparting these skills to the next generation of artists and makers.

One thing in particular fascinates me about both artists, but especially Iliefski, in that her works can be viewed as both art and design; there is an incredibly domestic feel to them. Perhaps it is my brain making the connection between the process and haptic qualities of tufting and domestic design features such as rugs, but I can imagine Iliefski’s work displayed in the home as a striking talking point.

The soft textures and bright, warm colours are even child-friendly, and would complement most interior design palettes and themes. This is not to say that they are not equally suited to the fine art gallery space, as this is also true; the works are pleasing in all environments, and I am really looking forward to seeing them at London Craft Week. With both artists, the way their new works have a pencil-like quality, reminiscent of playful and automatic drawing methods from afar but with a beautiful, rich texture within touching distance is something best reserved for sharing physical space. I’ll be seeing you (and these stunning pieces) in October at the enchanting Ugly Duck space in London!

Thank you for reading,
Issey Scott & Cluster Crafts