Press Release
07 | 03 | 18
Akiko Hirai and Jason Collingwood
with paintings by Malcolm Ashman RWA
26 May to 30 June
Image: Rug by weaver Jason Collingwood
From Whit Week and throughout June, New Craftsman Gallery presents an exhibition of work by leading contemporary makers, and talented husband and wife, Jason Collingwood and Akiko Hirai.
Rugmaker Jason Collingwood's striking geometric designs have positioned him as one of the UK's most successful and distinctive makers. Over the last 30 years he has woven somewhere in the region of 2500 rugs to commission, mostly for private individuals, but also for numerous corporate clients, architects and interior designers. He is currently working in partnership with Spanish Fashion house LOEWE, producing rugs for their flagship stores in Madrid, Malaga, Tokyo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Paris.
Ceramicist Akiko Hirai was born in Japan and studied cognitive psychology before moving to London. She studied ceramics at the University of Westminster and Central St. Martins, and now works from The Chocolate Factory art studios in Stoke Newington. Creating richly textured, functional pottery, she follows the traditional Japanese method of letting the quality of her clays direct her work, in a conscious development of the interaction between object and maker. This new collection includes large vessels and other domestic pieces such bowls, cups, platters and plates.
Image: Ceramics by Akiko Hirai
Accompanying this show is a collection of works by landscape painter Malcolm Ashman, who is an elected Royal West of England academican, and is a member of the Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
For further information contact New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore St, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1HE.
01736 795652 / info@newcraftsmanstives.com / www.newcraftsmanstives.com
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For further press information contact Mercedes Smith at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235 /www.fineartcommunications.co.uk
Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:
Jason Collingwood rug
Akiko Hirai ceramics
New Craftsman St Ives
With an international reputation amongst art and craft collectors for its painting, sculpture and quality studio ceramics, the New Craftsman is regarded as one of the most important spaces for contemporary artists in St Ives. Founded in 1962 by Janet Leach, wife of Bernard Leach, it holds an unrivalled reputation as one of the country's leading art and craft venues. Now in its 55th year, the gallery's annual programme of mixed and solo exhibitions continues to support the work of Cornwall's and the UK's very best painters and craftspeople.
New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore Street, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 1HE | Tel: +44 (0)1736 795652 |info@newcraftsmanstives.com| www.newcraftsmanstives.com