Craftworks Line Up

What does role does craftsmanship play in contemporary Manchester?

What does craft mean to us now in our everyday lives?

Seven local artists have been working as creative researchers to try and find answers to these questions within our local communities. They are now developing creative and interactive ways that they can share their learning at two events that are taking place in March 201.

The artists to date are –

Nkirote Laiboni

Title: Charting the Journey of Refugee and Migrant Artisans: A Study of Migrant and Refugee Craftsmanship in Manchester.

The main goal of the research is to investigate the role of craftsmanship in Manchester’s refugee and migrant communities, and in general to document the migration, integration and craftsmanship experiences of refugee and migrant artisans in the Northwest. The final research product will be a number of short, inter-linked stories and photographs that will express the physical, emotional/spiritual and artistic journey of refugee and migrant artisans in Manchester.

Kirstin Sillitoe

“brewing a Manchester pint – a sound-scape”

The craft of brewing comes in all shapes and sizes: from the large industrial breweries, to individual home brewers in their garden shed – each on a quest to create (and sup) the perfect pint. This sound-scape aims to explore the variety of brewers and breweries in Manchester, the craft and passion that go into every stage of the process and the sounds that make a ‘bloody good beer’. Just as every cask and every bottle contains only the best ingredients, lovingly mashed and mixed together, so too this sound-scape contains the best of the harvest; highlights from my conversations with each of the brewers and the most unique and interesting sounds gathered on each visit.

Blog http://kirstins.wordpress.com
twitter: @kirstinsillitoe

Alia Raffia

Perspectives in Textiles – Stories from South Asia to Manchester
Stories have often been told through textiles as they carry so many personal memories, ideas, styles and feelings. As part of my research I am investigating the stories of migration from South Asian labourers to Manchester through textiles and connecting these to stories from textile craft artists across Manchester. I aim to do this by examining issues including fair trade, renewable and recycled textiles, ethical practices and traditional techniques mixed with contemporary methods. I will be working with textile craft artists and local communities across Manchester producing textile pieces made out of recycled sari fabrics which will develop into a wall hanging. I will also be posting aspects of my research onto an online blog:

Artists website http://craftworks-textiles.blogspot.com/

Lucy Harvey

The Cobbler

Lucy Harvey investigates the legacy of shoe making and repair on Manchester’s contemporary and historic high street. Her research has focused on the transformation of the shoe and boot industry in the wake of mass production. Trained as a silversmith herself, Harvey is fascinated with the narrative of the handmade and has produced new work responding to the materials and processes used by local cobblers. Lucy will explore the personal relationship between the repairer and their craft in an industry which must equally recognise the value of its past alongside its future.

Artists website: http://www.lucyharvey.blogspot.com
Twitter @lucyowl

To find out more about this project or see how you could get involved in similar activities please contact l.postlethwaite@manchester.gov.uk