Oak bark revival: british craftsmanship finds new momentum

In a world obsessed with fleeting trends, a small collective is resurrecting ancient skills – one bark-tanned hide at a time.

Tracing roots: a journey into british heritage

Slow Ways Studio, founded by Freddie Armstrong and Joe de Ferranti, is meticulously documenting and promoting traditional British crafts. Their recent exhibition, ‘Our Common Ground,’ at art’otel London Hoxton, showcases the dedication of artisans preserving techniques passed down through generations.

From walk to workshop: a revelation

What began as a three-month, 1,300-mile trek across Britain – a deliberate exploration of the country’s craft heritage – has blossomed into a thriving studio. Armstrong and de Ferranti, after studying at Edinburgh University, embarked on this journey seeking to understand the urgency of safeguarding these vanishing trades. ‘We wanted to see what could be learned when time is taken and attention is paid,’ explains Armstrong.

Their encounters, including spending two days with Tony Pinto in the Cornish village of Gorran Haven, crafting withy crab pots – a vital symbol of the local fishing industry – highlighted the profound connection between craft, landscape, and identity. The reliance on willow, woven into these intricate traps, demonstrated the direct dependence on local resources and the very fabric of the community.

More than just objects

But the project’s significance extends beyond the preservation of individual techniques. ‘Craft works within a natural ecosystem, not against it,’ asserts Armstrong. Losing these practices, he argues, represents a deeper loss – a severing of our historical ties and a detachment from the land that sustains us. The exhibition features a diverse range of work, from the Marchmont Workshop’s rush-seated chairs to pieces crafted by Geoff Hannis, alumni of QEST and Heritage Craft.

Supported by organizations like QEST and Heritage Craft, ‘Our Common Ground’ celebrates the continued vitality of heritage crafts, including kilt-making workshops. The initiative, fueled by funds raised during their original walk, underscores the importance of investing in these irreplaceable skills.

‘I hope the objects encourage visitors to consider our landscape and the creations it supports,’ concludes Armstrong. ‘We have always looked upon the land as a source of material and inspiration, of worship and guidance.’ The exhibition runs until May 30th at art’otel London Hoxton.