Made in the Middle

A Major Crafts Touring Exhibition opens
in the West Midlands
Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, 24th March – 5th May, 2007

by Claire Malet	by Melanie Tomlinson

How is a craft object made? What are the ideas and processes that lead to its creation? What does a craft maker bring to an object?

One of the largest national crafts exhibitions to take place in the UK will be coming to Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum from 24th March until 5th May, 2007

Initiated by Craftspace,Made in the Middle is a major survey of contemporary craft from designer makers with a connection to the West Midlands. Selected by a panel of curators, design historians, and leading craft practitioners, 37 cutting edge designer makers are showing their latest work in this national touring exhibition.

Made in the Middle takes place every three years attracting over 37,000 visitors and this will be the sixth in the series. The exhibition will tour to nine other major galleries throughout the UK.

The exhibition explores ‘routes to an object’, investigating how inspirations and  career paths create the passion, skills and ideas that lie behind each piece of work.

This wealth of creativity on display includes ceramics, glass, jewellery, metalwork, textiles and furniture from both recent graduates and makers with international reputations. This diversity of talent includes lighting designer makers such as Elaine Sheldon and Dominic Cooney of Sheldon Cooney, Emma Welsh, and Dominic Bromley of Scabetti, mother and son jewellers Jane and John Moore and glass makers Clare Henshaw and Stuart Garfoot.

Over 100 objects are on display supported by video and sound recordings, work you can touch and a family activity guide. Craftspace and Rugby Art Gallery and Museum worked with the National Electronic and Video Archive for the Crafts (NEVAC) to record three significant makers – Ndidi Ekubia, Bridget Drakeford and the partnership of Sheldon Cooney - for this national archive, each talking about their ideas, making processes and careers.

Made in the Middle is an opportunity to purchase craft that is rarely available in the region and is supported by the Arts Council England’s Own Art Scheme, developed to encourage people to purchase and commission art and craft.

Contact Angie Bishop at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 01905 25371