I promised to go into more detail about my visit to Collect at Somerset House last month, ninety seconds just isn’t enough time to do these incredible artists and galleries justice, so here is a deeper dive.
I was there to look for pieces that would resonate with our clients and also for some general inspiration. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the director of Collect, TF Chan, starts his welcome letter by bringing up the impact of AI on design and craftsmanship and in contrast, the role that craft plays in taking the time to make things that matter.
Efficiency is not king when it comes to creating pieces that spark joy. We talk about mastering your craft is so many areas of life, and my walk through Collect reinforced that these artists have truly mastered a range of crafts, techniques and materials, reminding us that there is more to life than survival and that humans thrive when their minds, and hands, can roam, explore and create.
Here are the pieces that I wanted to take home with me, or find a home for with my clients.
I was so pleased to meet ceramicist Ikuko Iwamoto, the maker of Ghosts from the sea (below) exhibited by Cavaliero Finn gallery. Speaking with her offered a glimpse into the quiet thoughtfulness that underpins her practice, revealing an approach that feels both reflective and deeply attentive to material.
Chloe Lennon’s Mire Table in ceramic called to mind the earth and everything we extract from it. A haunting and thought-provoking nook in the Fair.
These show-stopping works by Ghanaian artist Kobina Adusah felt at once familiar and alien. His use of clay calls to mind antiquity but feels entirely personal and new. These human (alien?) sized vessels function as sites of meditation between past and present, memory and presence.
Marck is a Swiss artist whose work was showcased by Bluerider Art. I had quite a strong reaction to these pieces – completely mesmerising and slightly unsettling as well, with women trapped in a tiny sardine tin and in a box inside a miniature swimming pool. I wasn’t surprised to learn that German artist Christiane Grimm is a trained architect. Her fascination with colour and its kinetic effects are powerfully explored in this piece called Wallflower I. The works appear to move as you move past them, creating compelling and hypnotic vistas.
Colin Reid’s pieces are masterpieces of his craft – kilncast glass. The technique of colour saturation introduces layers of colour into the glass which then flow into each other.
The glass sculptures in London Glassblowing’s room were extraordinary. Three pieces in particular made me stop, stare, and move around them again and again, each angle revealing something new – shifts in light, subtle variations in form, and the way the material seemed to hold and transform its surroundings.
Portuguese artist Vanessa Barragão’s work was showcased by Ben Austin Projects. Her work explores themes of ecology and sustainability, intertwining craft processes and nature’s intricate works through her layered, textural pieces.
Jagged Art showcased this thought-provoking piece by Batool Showghi that forms part of a series of works around the Struggle and Rise of Women – with particular reference to the recent uprising of Iranian women.
Exhibited by the Jennifer Lauren gallery (which champions artists with disabilities and neurodivergences, as well as self-taught and overlooked artists), these felt dolls are called ‘Makoots’ and are by Makoto Okawa (1976 – 2016). They express his emotions, and no two dolls are the same.
Murmur Vessel series by Francisca Onumah was instantly captivating. She is a Ghanaian silversmith, born in Sheffield. These little metal people called to mind a group gathering at the mantelpiece to discuss something important. I wanted to listen in – and then take them all home to continue the conversation.
I loved seeing architecture as art in Crafting Space, an exhibition by Woven Spaces. This moment from a bronze lift core by Bureau de Change architects encourages us to see art in all its crafted forms.
I loved these fire vessels from Duke Christie in Jagged Art’s room. The piece behind by Valeria Nascimento acts as a delicate contrast to the solidly curvaceous vases. I could see these in a client’s home. Or in mine.
This piece from Max Radford Gallery by Lewis Kemmenoe uses reclaimed timber off-cuts to alchemise wood into fabric. I loved it.
I really enjoyed hearing about the work of Jig Studio in bringing Brazilian design into focus. This piece is based on a ceremonial chair.
What struck me most as I left Somerset House was how energising it is to encounter work made with such dedication and curiosity. In a world that so often prioritises speed and convenience, these artists choose a different path — slowing down, exploring materials, and continually refining their craft. That level of commitment is evident in every piece.
I’ll be following many of these artists and galleries closely, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their work evolves, and hopefully helping some of these pieces find the right homes with our clients.
