Naked Craft Network

The Naked Craft Network (NCN) was a multi-component, international collaborative research project (2014–2017) that investigated topical issues in contemporary craft practice in Scotland and Canada. Through an innovative combination of practice and theoretical reflection, bridging design history and theory, practice-based research and public engagement, the project brought together an international network of practice- based researchers, writers, curators and industry partners. They questioned the value of craft as a practice, an historical phenomenon and a contemporary experience. The main outputs from the project were a cluster of interlinking research events, including residencies, workshops, a public education programme and accompanying symposia. The research was disseminated to the public through a touring exhibition of Canadian and Scottish craft that was accompanied by a catalogue with commissioned essays. Led by craft historian and theorist Juliette MacDonald and Dr Sandra Alfoldy, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Canada, NCN was the first major craft partnership between Scotland and Canada and involved four academics, 23 professional craftspeople, five curators, and three research assistants. The Make workshop and symposia brought together individual makers from local craft communities, and researchers from academic institutions from Canada and Scotland. 20 June – 6 September 2015 Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington, Canada. 26 September – 28 November 2015 Centre Materia, Quebec City, Canada. 14 January – 10 April 2016 Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada. April – May 2016 Thurso Gallery and Iona Gallery, Kingussie, Scotland. Both galleries at once with one month in each, but it was counted as one exhibition venue. June – August 2016 Barony Centre Craft Town, West Kilbride, Scotland. October 2016 – February 2017 Peebles Art Gallery, Peebles, Scotland. April – June 2017 An Lanntair, Stornaway, Orkney, Scotland. The legacy of the research lies in the way it has opened up channels of communication between the two communities to establish a space for reflecting upon and re-evaluating the traditional roles of craft practice for the future.