Well Known Makers Demonstrate their Creative Craft in ‘The Joy is in the Making’ Exhibition at National Trust, Standen in West Sussex

Featuring Keith Brymer Jones, Kaffe Fassett, Niamh Wimperis, Mr X Stitch & Edith Bowman, with a series of interventions. From Saturday 29 May – Sunday 31 October 2021, 10 am to 4.30 pm

The ‘Joy is in the Making’ is a new exhibition that looks behind the scenes of the crafter, sharing not only their masterful works but also the inspirations, emotions and deep sense of wellbeing that comes with the creative process.

This COVID-safe exhibition at the National Trust’s Standen House and Garden, features work from top-name makers, including The Great Pottery Throw Down judge and ceramicist Keith Brymer Jones, world-renowned knitting, needlepoint and patchwork expert Kaffe Fassett, embroidery artist, Niamh Wimperis,  recently seen on The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts, internationally exhibited textile artist Mr X Stitch plus well-known presenter turned photographer Edith Bowman.

As Keith Brymer Jones comments: ‘Is there a strong link between doing something creative and emotions? I would say that was the definition of creativity. It’s not even a strong link. They run together.’

And Kaffe Fassett agrees: ‘I have never, ever, been bored making textiles. It always grabs me from beginning to end. It holds my attention…  life interrupts me in my flow; but if it didn’t, I would happily be sitting listening to Radio 4, knitting away or sewing a patchwork or whatever for the rest of time.’

‘The Joy is in the Making’ finds a natural home at Standen which, as an Arts & Crafts destination[1], was built with handmaking woven into its fabric. The estate has a long-standing link with William Morris who well understood the benefits of the creative process back in the 1800s.

If the past year’s events have shown anything it’s that this link between getting creative and wellbeing are more important now than ever before.

As such ‘The Joy is in the Making’ is much more than a window into the lives and minds of creatives. The makers want to share that joy – igniting curiosity and extending an invitation for all to take a break from our daily buzz of phones and laptops and have a go at crafting.

As Mr X Stitch reflected, crafting will ‘change your life. You need to have a go at craft because it’s good for you. You deserve it.’

For more information, you can visit the Standen House and Garden- Nation Trust website here

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