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Discover groundbreaking contemporary craft in our latest exhibition at Watts Contemporary Gallery. For the first time, we showcase the work of exceptional craftswomen across diverse media. Like Mary Watts, these artists are redefining their fields, creating stunning and intriguing objects. This exhibition offers a powerful snapshot of contemporary craft at its finest.
Mary Watts felt strongly that some handicraft should be an essential part in all education. She taught clay modelling to boys at evening classes in Whitechapel in London’s East End. These formed part of the Home Arts and Industries Association, a body inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement and designed to provide poor and badly-educated children with creative skills. Years later, having married G F Watts and established their home in Compton, she encouraged villagers to make terracotta tiles and gesso panels for the Mortuary Chapel, as well as setting up the Potters’ Arts Guild. Her designs were worked in textiles, bookbinding and bedheads as well as terracotta. She was appointed President of the Women’s Guild of Arts, founded in 1907 to promote the interests of professional artists and craftswomen.
Many of the strands of Mary’s creative life have parallels in the new work in this craft showcase.
All works are for sale.
Bridget Bailey – textile plants and insects
Debbie Barber – patterned ceramic panels
Cathy Cullis – machine-embroidered portraits
Celia Smith – wire sculpture birds
Maria Santos-Alcantara – wooden boxes with embossed pewter decoration
Jane Littlefield – painted and stained glass, some inspired by Watts Chapel
Brenda Gibson – hand-woven silk and cashmere
Lucy Dorothy – paper sculpture
Don't miss the opportunity to meet the artists who feature in Handcrafted. Find out more about their practice and what inspires them.
Bridget Bailey, Detail of Meadow Flora and Fauna
Cathy Cullis, Tales of Old Albion
Lucy Dorothy, The Bird Hotel in The Sky Blue