The Working Artisans' Club
- Text by Shelley Jones
- Photography by Adrian Morris
The Working Artisans’ Club 2013 exhibition – the culmination of a year-long project by HUCK and O’Neill that celebrates independent designer-makers – kicked off with a bang at our 71a gallery last night in Shoreditch, London.
Over 300 people came through the doors to see installations by each of the ‘working artisans’ – cruiser board chiller Satta Skates, neoprene onesie maker Neon Wetsuits, screenprinters extraordinaire Lovenskate, fine-art tattoo wizards Expanded Eye, camping utensil king Miscellaneous Adventures and upcycled workwear wonderwomen Francli.
As well as enjoying some craft lager and pale ale, courtesy of Meantime, and some coconut water, courtesy of Vita Coco, visitors took time interacting with each installation, which included products, original artworks, studio tools and videos.
The exhibition runs as part of Shoreditch Design Triangle, a week of design-led festivities featuring designers, stores, galleries, studios, cafes, bars, brands and one-off events in Shoreditch during London Design Festival, for a week (10-5pm) until September 27.
Lovenskate will be hosting a screenprint workshop on Sunday September 22, 12-2pm, and you can watch videos of each individual artisan on the HUCK youtube channel.
Thanks to everyone who made it such a rad evening.
Latest on Huck
In the ’60s and ’70s, Greenwich Village was the musical heart of New York
Talkin’ Greenwich Village — Author David Browne’s new book takes readers into the neighbourhood’s creative heyday, where a generation of artists and poets including Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday and Dave Van Ronk cut their teeth.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai
How Labour Activism changed the landscape of post-war USA
American Job — A new exhibition revisits over 70 years of working class solidarity and struggle, its radical legacy, and the central role of photography throughout.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Analogue Appreciation: Emma-Jean Thackray
Weirdo — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, multi-instrumentalist and Brownswood affiliate Emma-Jean Thackray.
Written by: Emma-Jean Thackray
Meet the shop cats of Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan district
Feline good — Traditionally adopted to keep away rats from expensive produce, the feline guardians have become part of the central neighbourhood’s fabric. Erica’s online series captures the local celebrities.
Written by: Isaac Muk
How trans rights activism and sex workers’ solidarity emerged in the ’70s and ’80s
Shoulder to Shoulder — In this extract from writer Jake Hall’s new book, which deep dives into the history of queer activism and coalition, they explore how anti-TERF and anti-SWERF campaigning developed from the same cloth.
Written by: Jake Hall
A behind the scenes look at the atomic wedgie community
Stretched out — Benjamin Fredrickson’s new project and photobook ‘Wedgies’ queers a time-old bullying act by exploring its erotic, extreme potential.
Written by: Isaac Muk