This year Laura West, award winning Skye bookbinder and previous participant in the HI-Arts Making Progress scheme, has been shortlisted for the Modern Craft Project.

Laura West

The Modern Craft Project has been designed to find and support modern craftsmen who want to take their work, their skills and themselves further. Inspired by Ketel One Vodka and in partnership with Wallpaper* magazine, the Modern Craft Project has been set up to enable up to three crafts professionals to win a share of the Ketel One Legacy. The legacy prize fund is worth £30,000 and is intended to help the winning maker in their pursuit of excellence. Bob Nolet , Vice Executive President of Nolet Distillery, says the…

“…desire to leave a mark upon the world is part of human nature.  Some people achieve this through their children, others through their work or art, a business or an altruistic act. Having grown up in and around our family distillery, I am deeply aware of the importance of creating a legacy.  Our family values live on in the quality of the vodka we produce – and it’s something I am confident will continue for many generations to come.” 

Laura West (c) 2012

A Modern Craftsman as defined by the prize fund is “A man or woman that utilises ergonomic tools, meticulous, slow and sure disciplines and traditional techniques but employing, say, modern materials and a contemporary sensibility. The expertise of his hand, the keen-ness of his eye and his attention to detail is subtly evident in every piece of work.” (Simon Mills – Wallpaper* Bespoke Editor)

Laura West has been shortlisted for her award winning bookbinding, bespoke traditional and contemporary hand-sewn books and her signature range of unique artefact books and designs. She is a highly regarded tutor and holds workshops across the country. Laura was part of HI-Arts 2009/10 Making Progress Mentoring programme, which gave makers an opportunity to create new work for a Spotlight show at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

Last year, in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubillee, Laura was involved in a project with John Walker and Sons, the Scotch Whisky Distillers By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen. This saw the distillers bringing together a number of craftspeople from around Scotland to create bespoke pieces to present and accompany their whisky Diamond Jubillee. Laura was commissioned to produce commemorative artefact books, hand bound; to accompany a number of other special items including diamond shaped Baccarat crystal decanters. ‘It was an amazing project, involving lots of craftmen; it was a great experience to be part off’ Laura commented.

Laura West (c) 2012

An expert panel has undertaken the task of reviewing applications from modern craft makers from around the UK, after which they shortlisted 10 individuals. The aim now is for the general public to show their support for the entrants by voting for who you think best demonstrates the fusing of traditional craft and modernity.

If you would like to support Laura West please click on the link here to vote:

https://www.themoderncraftproject.com/en-gb/the-work/entries/550-laura-west

 To see more of Laura’s work follow her at the public supabinda page on Facebook

or at laurawest.com

Laura West (c) 2012