The Working Artisans' Club
- Text by Shelley Jones
- Photography by Adrian Morris
The Working Artisans’ Club 2013 exhibition – the culmination of a year-long project by HUCK and O’Neill that celebrates independent designer-makers – kicked off with a bang at our 71a gallery last night in Shoreditch, London.
Over 300 people came through the doors to see installations by each of the ‘working artisans’ – cruiser board chiller Satta Skates, neoprene onesie maker Neon Wetsuits, screenprinters extraordinaire Lovenskate, fine-art tattoo wizards Expanded Eye, camping utensil king Miscellaneous Adventures and upcycled workwear wonderwomen Francli.
As well as enjoying some craft lager and pale ale, courtesy of Meantime, and some coconut water, courtesy of Vita Coco, visitors took time interacting with each installation, which included products, original artworks, studio tools and videos.
The exhibition runs as part of Shoreditch Design Triangle, a week of design-led festivities featuring designers, stores, galleries, studios, cafes, bars, brands and one-off events in Shoreditch during London Design Festival, for a week (10-5pm) until September 27.
Lovenskate will be hosting a screenprint workshop on Sunday September 22, 12-2pm, and you can watch videos of each individual artisan on the HUCK youtube channel.
Thanks to everyone who made it such a rad evening.
You might like
Jesse Glazzard’s messy portrait of queer friends, lovers and chosen family
The Sound of Dirt and Beauty — The photographer’s debut monograph explores tender, unpolished moments shaped by the people who he surrounds himself with, while offering a window into the UK’s working-class LGBTQ+ community.
Written by: Sunny Sunday
Behind the curtain at Alternative Miss World 1981
Olympia glamour — Running a subversive take on the traditional beauty pageant, the Andrew Logan organised event prioritised underground creativity and invention. Photographer David Corio went behind the scenes at its biggest edition.
Written by: Miss Rosen
New exhibition highlights British radical living over 200 years
Earthly Paradise — Taking place at the William Morris Gallery, it explores the homes and lives of artists, writers, musicians and more, as well as the conditions that allowed them to thrive.
Written by: Isaac Muk
What life on the Strait of Hormuz is really like
Southern Winds — Bandar Abbas based photographer Morteza Niknahad has been capturing the diverse communities and stories of his local region since he first picked up a camera. His new series highlights the human impact of war.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Nick Haymes’s intimate portrait of his family’s life
Chronograph — Over 25 years, the photographer documented his son’s lives as they grew into adults. The resulting photobook is an exploration of the passage of time, as well as the optimism of youth.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kristina Rozhkova’s scatty, confronting portrait of captivity
Gut Feeling — The Russian artist’s 2024 arrest and subsequent detention opened her eye towards the omnipresent dynamics of power and control. Her new photobook is a stark exploration of being trapped.
Written by: Isaac Muk