Modern Artisan: A World of Craft Tradition and Innovation – Isabelle Dupuy Chavanat 

Description
Every culture is rooted in an artisanal tradition that combines locally sourced materials, time-honored savoir faire, and a desire to adorn and embellish objects from daily life. Here, thirty-eight women and men—from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Italy, France, Mali, Mexico, and beyond—open their workshops to share their heritage, skill, and unique vision.

Artisanal crafts—some nearly forgotten and lost forever—are having a renaissance thanks to a nascent consciousness for fair-trade practices, an urgent call to protect the planet, and a renewed respect for the quality and durability of handmade objects. This beautifully produced and richly illustrated tome pays homage to natural materials, the hands that shape them, and the ethos that guides their exceptional creators.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/modern-artisan/isabelle-dupuy-chavanat/9782080280954

Review

This is another example of the wonderful books created by Flammarion. 

As well as the outstanding production quality of this book with stunning photography and the utterly gorgeous cover illustration, what we particularly loved about this beautiful book are the individual personal accounts from each artisan selected by Isabelle Dupuy Chavanat, sharing how they have developed their particular skill, many are self-taught, and the way that they feel when they are creating and their hopes for the future.

As Isabelle highlights in her introduction,

‘I see these artisans as forming a community of women and men who are engaged by their driving passions.From east to west and from north to south, they contribute to our world heritage with objects that are imbued with their talent, their unique practice and their geographic identities. They are connected by an intrinsic understanding of the art of making. Each of them speaks with a singular and distinct voice, from the four corners of the earth, yet they all share a universal message. This volume seeks an equal level of engagement and attempts to give substance to this collective fight for the recognition and protection of craft skills, for the upholding of culture through craftsmanship, and for the education of future generations so that they may cultivate understanding and respect for artisanal expertise.’

Divided into the categories of Wood, Fiber, Paper, Clay, Glass, Textiles, Leather, Stone and New Materials it features weavers, woodworkers, ceramists, pigment makers, potters, stone cutters, beaders, basket makers, and textile artists.  

 At a time when many of our most treasured skills are disappearing, this beautiful collection celebrates the painstaking work and inspiring creations by skilled and passionate artisans around the world. An important and inspiring contribution to the recognition of our most natural heritage crafts and the very talented artisans that create them.

Highly Recommended! One of our Favourite Books of 2024! 

Modern Artisan: A World of Craft Tradition and Innovation – Isabelle Dupuy Chavanat is published by Editions Flammarion