About the event:

We are delighted to invite Crafts members and valued guests to an exclusive tour of the Brookfield Properties 2025 Craft Award exhibitions. Led by the exhibitions' curator, Director of Arts and Events for Brookfield Properties Saff Williams, attendees will have the opportunity to discover the history of the prestigious prize and learn more about the work of this year's winning artist, Ebony Russell.

Represented by Cynthia Corbett gallery, Ebony Russell is an innovative sculptural ceramicist. Based in Sydney, Australia, she has developed a practice informed by gender aesthetics, household labour and traditional craft practices. Her prize-winning exhibition at Brookfield Properties' 99 Bishopsgate location, entitled Decorated: The Sculptural Ceramics of Ebony Russell, directly references the history of ceramics whilst challenging gendered notions of decorative craft practices. The exhibition features Russell's intricately piped ceramic pieces, including five pieces recently acquired into Crafts Council Collection as part of the 2025 prize and the generous support of Brookfield Properties.

Attendees will have the chance to tour Russell's first solo exhibition in the UK, plus the additional show, Adorned: Celebrating Craft and Form. Taking place at 30 Fenchurch Street, Adorned features work by the further four finalists wood artist Alan Meredith (Cavaleiro Finn), glass artist Chris Day (Vessel Gallery), wood and paper artist Isobel Napier (Flow Gallery), and ceramic artist Valéria Nascimento (jaggedart).

Beginning at 99 Bishopsgate and ending at 30 Fenchurch Street, this event will take attendees on a tour across two exceptional exhibitions within the heart of the City of London.

About the Brookfield Properties Craft Award:

In its sixth year, the Brookfield Properties Craft Award celebrates the best of UK contemporary craft, giving a much-needed platform to living makers and their contribution to the practice. Shortlisted makers are selected from over 400 artists exhibiting at Collect art fair and are assessed on several criteria, including excellence in skills, making and material knowledge as well as a body of work that demonstrates ambition, scale, colour and form. Launched in 2020, past winners of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award include Matt Smith (Cynthia Corbett gallery), Anna Ray (House on Mars), Christian Ovonlen (Intoart), Alice Kettle (Candida Stevens gallery) and Halima Cassell (Joanna Bird).

Please note this event will involve standing and a short walk in between the two venues. If you have any accessibility requirements please contact Charlotte Alderman (Memberships Producer) c_alderman@craftscouncil.org.uk

Members tour of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award 2025 exhibitions