A Question of Craft and Form
John Smedley x Zoe Wilson and Alice Walton: In Conversation at London Craft Week 2019
words by Will HALBERT
John Smedley continues on its mission to tell stories of like-minded, British craftsmen and women in a year-long celebration of the brand’s 235th anniversary. Set to the backdrop of this year’s London Craft Week, John Smedley invited stone artist Zoe Wilson and ceramic artist Alice Walton – both QEST scholars and John Smedley ambassadors – to a panel discussion on the subject of craft and form.
Joined by Managing Director (and eighth-generation Smedley family member) Ian Maclean, the panel focused on the transformation of raw material into art forms. The conversation provided invaluable insight into how both Zoe and Alice go about selecting the finest materials before transforming them into unique creations.
It was clear that both Zoe and Alice’s approach to their respective crafts struck a real chord with the 235-year-old John Smedley brand. And how could it not? For just shy of two and a half centuries, John Smedley’s attention to detail and its dedication to craft has earned it a reputation for crafting only the finest knitwear, made right here in Britain. By all
accounts, the evening proved to be a glowing testament to John Smedley’s passion for craft, its commitment to quality, and its steadfast belief in the importance of supporting its fellow artists and artisans. EJ
