Craftspace

Investigating crafts practice in rural areas led by Craftspace with partners; Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and Qube, Oswestry.

As part of this project we have been pairing makers to encourage dialogue and exchange between traditional and contemporary crafts practices. Traditional Blacksmith Chris Stokes whose forge is based in Oswestry has been paired with Junko Mori. The strength of their collaboration and combining of skill has led to a large scale sculpture commissioned by Qube for Ellesmere in Shropshire as part of Extramuros - 'art outside the walls', an International Art Project. 

Their sculpture 'Bindweed' is currently part of a temporary exhibition of twelve sculptures from Spain, Portugal and the UK placed around The Mere and on show until mid June. It will then tour to Southern Spain and Portugal until spring 2008 when the British works will return to Ellesmere for permanent installation at the Mere.

For further information http://www.ellesmere.info/community/arts/extramuros/extramuros.htm or www.qube-oca.co.uk