I first was invited to Taiwan in 2016.
Since then I have built up a long standing relationship with NTCRI: National Taiwanese Craft Research Institute in Nantou Taiwan. I truly enjoy returning because the invitation is not from the metal but from the incrdible staff from the stone department. What i really enjoy about this Instutute is that it is not a big university: it moves creatively and with a freedom to invite highly creative and thoughtful workshops. For this i am hugely grateful.
We develop ideas and thinking for new workshops together and have time to reflect on what could be helpful for potential students. This also includes informative day trips to other maker studios, stone manufacturing factories and related crafts events.
The last time i was in Nantou we moved the stone sudio from a closed environment to the outdoors: raising relevant questions such as what could a workshop or studio environment be.
It must also be stated that it is an absolute priviledge to be invited and work with NTRCI. My thanks to all and in 2019 I had the pleasure of working alongside A-Fu the stone master; to make together and exchange: knowledge, experience and thinking over 5 extraordinary days.
About NTCRI ( National Taiwanese Craft and Research Institute)
The NTCRI has its origins as the Nantou District Handicrafts Research Group, which was established in 1935. Nantou was selected for the group’s location as it’s rich in the materials handicrafters most often utilized in their works. In 1959, it was rebranded as the Nantou County Handicrafts Research Center.
In 2003 the Taiwan Craft Cultural Park was created; covering six hectares the Park serves many functions, aiding in the preservation, research, promotion, and display of crafts, as well as hands-on education.
To reflect its growing role as an incubator for crafts the Institute is working on bringing craft into a new and exciting era of development. It’s focus being: promoting craft, supporting the crafts industry and introducing Taiwanese craft to the world. It’s specialist workshops being: bamboo, ceramics, lacquer, metal, textiles, stone and wood.
I let you into a secret…… i love a Workshop as it talks of ‘a meeting at which a group of people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject or project.’ To me this sounds healthy and inclusive.
What i have a problem with is a Masterclass, seem so thoroughthly old fashioned, pretentious and very elitest. I thoroughly enjoy everyone learning from each other and everyone has something to offer and I’m very happy to be exposed to new learning.
I’m a master of nothing and attempt to share all that i can offer.
Day trips are vital to check in with the realisation of where material comes from, mountains are being slowly dismantled to retreve rocks that have been there for thousands of years. Highlighting how essential it is to question where we get materials from and how.
Open discussion about where are the boundaries are for the stone are very exciting; as glass is considered as stone (silica/quartz.) Coral also as it is made of calcium carbonate. Clay is sedimentary rock. Fossilised wood, yep you guessed it; stone. So all of a sudden stone encompases ceramics and glass.
This was a complete revelation to me! and so very good to think about and agree.
Tin is still very much used within temples and there are still a few studios who produce eclesestical metalwork including large statues to altar pieces. Superinteresting to discover and share new processes and methods of making; like casting in hand carved stone moulds. And casting within cardboard. Wonderful stuff
After lunch, there is always time for a much needed sleep.
The workshops are built to be challenging in triggering new thinking as well as making. we step in to create a safe and trusting environment where the students can feel secure to test their own limits.It’s about digging deep to find new materials in the broadest sense to set us hopefully on an exciting path.
A healthy tiredness is always part of the project and i fully embrace a regular afternoon nap.
I have had amazing opportunities to develop projects, courses and International workshops. Invitations have come as far as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, China, the USA and most of Europe.
If you are interested in developing a workshop with me, please do contact me. I’m very happy to discuss possibilities and find out what would be suitable and relevant for you.
