IC:Innovative Craft Blog

Shared common knowledge shines through

Posted Monday 1 September 2008, 05:15pm

IC welcomes comment from Australian maker Robert Foster, whose own wonderful teapots in steel and aluminium have been wowing visitors to Raising the Bar. Robert travelled all the way from Australia to see and support the show in Edinburgh. He is a peripatetic guy at present, as his own design company Fink and Co. is subject of a major show opening in Washington, USA later this month. Robert writes:

‘Seeing the work out on display for the opening night of “Raising the Bar” was, and will remain, a strong and powerful memory to me. It looked impressive, a visually appetising array of objects. It was great seeing the exhibition three or four times, as well as spending some good times talking with colleagues. Each person’s work demonstrates a clear, enriched story that begins through shared common knowledge about making. What is amazing is how each of us has evolved our own personal expression – pushing through the boundaries of technique and developing deep into the nature of material. There is a great variety of exploration about the value of material, and the contemporary role the material plays and what makes it valuable, re-interpreting the notion of preciousness.

‘I really enjoyed the resolute and clear nature of a lot of the work, but was charmed by the camouflage of real skill and in-depth understanding that it took to make each piece convincing. It was great to be part of “Raising the Bar”. I hope the show will continue to educate public about the importance of crafts knowledge about supporting the growth and progression of mastering skill.’