The craft and design fair that fosters cultural links

Textile specialist and gallerist Joss Graham has curated the first Fine Crafts and Design Fair for Asia House…

Textile specialist and gallerist Joss Graham has curated the first Fine Crafts and Design Fair for Asia House – a non-profit, representing 38 Asian countries, that works to foster cultural links between Asia and Europe. “We wanted to showcase innovative organisations that are reviving threatened handcraft skills by reintroducing them as a relevant aesthetic,” says Graham.

One such exhibitor is Black Elephant, the Burma-based studio of Veronica Gritsenko, who works with local craftsmen to create designs using traditional lacquer methods (pictured: Bago Bowl). With high overheads and declining demand, this has become a rare skill.

Graham says: “By triggering new market interest, Gritsenko is creating a viable livelihood for the next generation of lacquerware producers. It’s a perfect mix – progressive design, ancient crafting.”

Fact Box:

April 22-24, 63 New Cavendish St, London W1 (020-7307 5454); 10 per cent of sales go towards supporting Asia House’s charitable and cultural programmes.