Art Fund COLLECT took place on 10 May 2013 to coincide with the opening of COLLECT 2013 at London’s Saatchi Gallery. The fair was held from 10-13 May. Details of the award can be found here:
Professor Nicole Rousmaniere (Research Director) won the Art Fund COLLECT award. Representing the British Museum where she is currently seconded, she secured the award which helped fund the purchase of an outstanding piece of contemporary craft object together with eight other museum representatives. Art Fund COLLECT, set up jointly by the Art Fund and the Crafts Council in 2008, is a scheme which offers UK museums the chance to enhance their contemporary craft collections. In its final year the £75000 award supported nine museums to make new acquisitions. Nicole convinced the panel of judges the brilliance of her chosen piece, Large Feather Leaves Bowl (2013), by Japanese porcelain artist Hosono Hiromi. The work was exhibited by one of the carefully selected galleries showing at COLLECT, an international art fair for contemporary objects held in London. Attached is a picture of Nicole with Hosono’s exquisite bowl. Professor Rousmaniere said: “Hosono Hitomi’s organic and compelling form enables us to cross boundaries that have traditionally separated Japan and Europe, the past from the present, and Japanese traditional craft traditions from Wedgwood inspired technology. I believe when her work is displayed it will allow visitors to view the rest of the Japanese Collection in a new light and to engage with an artist that can communicate her vision directly without translation and across borders.”