A celebration of paper and carving at London Craft Week

The Art School was delighted to take part in London Craft Week 2022, with a two-day event held on Friday 13 May and Saturday 14 May. The event was a huge success with over 100 visitors coming through the Art School’s doors.

The activities marked the launch of our 2022-23 research platform, Material Matters: Paper, and visitors were treated to a range of paper demonstrations conducted by students and tutors on our specialist courses.

From top: Globe conservation techniques by Jonathan Wright (Graduate Diploma Arts: Conservation of Books & Paper student); Illuminations and gilding on paper by Sarah Davis (Drawing & Woodcarving Tutor), Faux wood and stone finishes on paper and origami techniques by Yuki Aruga (2021/22 Painter Stainers’ Decorative Surfaces Fellow); The versatility of handmade paper in 2D and 3D forms by Angela A’Court (MA Art & Material Histories Student); Bookbinding techniques by Emily Stuart and Masha Ivenelo, First Year BA (Hons) Conservation: Books & Paper Students.

A series of one-hour ‘blind printing’ workshops was held in our Print Room, led by Print Fellow Kristina Chan. Blind printing is the traditional intaglio print process without the ink, so participants left the workshop with beautiful embossed artwork, but no inky fingers!

Throughout the two days, our wood and stone carving students took part in our ever-popular carving competition. This year the theme was Fables in the style of Grinling Gibbons in honour of the master carver’s Tercentenary.

We were delighted to welcome Professor Philip Ogden, Trustee of the Grinling Gibbons Society and past master of the Drapers, to judge the competition. Visitors were also invited to vote for their favourite carving.

Carving competition winners

Stone carving 1st place – Stefan Lomax, BA (Hons) Historic Carving: Architectural Stone, yr 3
Stone carving 2nd place – Jack Fonseca-Burtt, BA (Hons) Historic Carving: Architectural Stone, yr 2
Woodcarving 1st place – Judith Letchford, Gradudate Diploma Arts: Woodcarving
Woodcarving 2nd place – Jo Grogan, BA (Hons) Historic Carving: Woodcarving & Gilding, yr 2
The William Wheeler People’s Choice Award – Max Reynolds, BA (Hons) Historic Carving: Woodcarving & Gilding, yr 1
The Peer Prize – Judith Letchford, Gradudate Diploma Arts: Woodcarving and Christopher Nayler, BA (Hons) Historic Carving: Architectural Stone, yr 2
Woodcarving student, Mihail Rizea, received an Honourable Mention, and was chosen by tutors.

*Stone carving 1st place – Stefan Lomax*; *Woodcarving 1st place and The Peer Prize – Judith Letchford*

Congratulations to all the winners for their well-deserved awards!

Visitors on Saturday were invited to ‘have-a-go’ at stone carving, always a popular pursuit, and Fabal lager offered an informative Talk and Tasting, featuring their celebrated English produce.

Art School Students and tutors who took part, had a really enjoyable two days and if you visited us, we hope you had an interesting and illuminating experience! Look out for details of our London Craft Week event in 2023 and we hope to see you then.

With thanks to the generous support of the Masons’ Company, Dick Onians, the Carpenters’ Company, Fabal Lager and Pierre Heritage GB stone suppliers.