The 2025 London Craft Week China Pavilion Tiankong Kaiwu was unveiled at the Royal Mint Court on May 12th.
Entitled Tiangong Kaiwu: Crafting Works of China, this year’s China Pavilion focuses on presenting the contemporary expression of traditional Chinese crafts.
At the entrance of the exhibition, a demonstration of Dulong weaving shows the beautiful work of people from the Dulong Valley in Yunnan. Walking through the exhibition, you are met with examples of beautiful Chinese craftwork. Giant Tibetan Tiger Carpets engulf the walls, while beautiful vases are displayed throughout the exhibition
On May 12th the doors to the exhibition were opened. It will run until May 15th, with viewers able to book on the London Craft Week website to view the exhibition or participate in activities such as tea tasting.
At the opening ceremony, guests were welcomed with a traditional Chinese dance, before several speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Minister Zhao Fei from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, speaking at the opening ceremony, said: “Craftsmanship is an important medium for cultural inheritance, development, and exchanges. Both China and the United Kingdom are home to rich and proud craft traditions.”
He added, “I hope this year’s London Craft Week will continue to spark new inspiration and dialogue between the craft communities of China and the UK and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples.”
Also giving speeches were Guy Salter, Founder and Chairman of London Craft Week, and Qian Zhu, President and Editor-in-Chief of Art and Design Press.
Guy Salter, speaking to China Minutes after the event, said Chinese craft has always played a role since London Craft Week was instigated 11 years ago, “because of the importance of Chinese culture and Chinese craftsmanship to the world of craft in general”.
Guest Dr David Francis, lecturer in curating Asian art at SOAS, said to China Minutes: “I was doing a previous project in China called Craft China from 2018 to 2020 looking at Xiaoshu Minzu, minority nationality, crafts… so it’s really interesting people to see this kind of here in London.” Adding: “I think one of the really exciting things… is how China really puts craft as part of identity and civilization and gives it that kind of importance.”
The name of the exhibition is drawn from an influential compendium on industry, agriculture and artisanry written by Song Yingxing in 17th-century China. The meaning of ‘Tiangong’ is the power of nature, while the meaning of ‘Kaiwu’ is the ingenuity of human wisdom. Together, ‘Tiangong’ and ‘Kaiwu’ represent the combination of nature and human ingenuity to achieve beautiful craftsmanship.
It is held at Royal Mint Court, which is used for cultural exhibitions such as Tiangong Kaiwu.
The event was organised by the Art and Design Press, supported by London Craft Week Organising Committee, the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and media supported by Nouvelles D’Europe.
Since its inception in 2015, London Craft Week has become one of the world’s most important arts and crafts events, supported by the King Charles Foundation and initiated by founder Guy Salter. Held in London every early summer, Craft Week brings together designers, brands, galleries and artisans from around the world to create a platform for international and local, historical and contemporary exchange through exhibitions, lectures and workshops.
China has participated in the exhibition since it began, representing the beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship on the global stage.
All images taken by H20 Studio. If you liked this article why not read: Yunnan Mountain Gift Pop-Up Shop Celebrates Opening in London
