Marketplace | Craft Unbound Survey: More Critical Writing Needed

In February Craft Unbound published the results of a survey asking what type of magazine format would appeal most to people within the field. The survey came out ahead of the organization’s plans to launch a publication at the Parallels conference at the National Gallery of Victoria in September. Of the respondents, two thirds were craft practitioners, 44 percent were also curators and writers and 37 percent were designers. Of the different kinds of formats, critical writing and artist profiles came in with the most demand, as illustrated in the chart below.

Above image: Katharine Morling, Once Upon a Time, porcelain

Craft Unbound states:

Many pleaded for critical writing, perceiving that many publications about craft are simply promotional.

Overall, the comments reflected the absence of publication – “Once again we are without quality Craft/Design publication so the need to restore the balance is important.” And a sense that something should be done new – “I think that it is timely and important for craft in Australia to have a lively, current, well written, pictorially rich magazine.”

As to the title, respondents were evenly split between the alternatives. But comments were useful in ensuring that the final title can realise the hopes that might be invested in it.

Among the other suggestions:

• artist profiles when written independently and not gallery/artist generated publicity.
• investigative, analytical, witty editorial inquiry and one that pays writers
• Finding a way to network young curators with artists is also something missing from the Craft Industry
• Interviews with national / international craft and design curators Articles on grass roots initiates that promote and sell work
• It would be good to see some true, critical journalism, critiquing
• I think it should cover the intersections of the changing world of craft- ie traditional crafts and their reinvention using new materials/ new purposes

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Katharine Morling, Poison Pen, porcelain. Click to see a larger image.