Moments of Wander

Genso & Kätlin Lõbu

& Tea Encounters

Moments of Wander was curated to showcase the latest collection of hand tufted linen rugs by London based Estonian textile artist Kätlin Lõbu, and a selection of Bizen pottery by Genso - the new Japanese platform for young Bizen artisans.

LCW 2022, Islington Square Pop Up

‘Moments of Wander’ can be interpreted as an visual exploration of the expressive pieces of art and craft presented in the exhibition - following the lines and abstract shapes of the patterns, the textures, materials and the overall aesthetic language shaped partly by nature, partly by the human hand. Equally it may be interpreted as moments of awe (wonder), when experiencing the objects, materials, shapes and acts (the act of tea drinking, as well as imagining the act of tufting and/or pottery making), presented. Both kinds types of moments are essential for the human mind (often referred to as ‘mindfulness’) - in enriching and developing a sense of self and others, as well as the understanding and appreciation of our connectedness with mother Nature and her resources (materials).

For an enriched momenterial experience, Tea Encounters was invited to offer a special journey into the taste and experience of tea drinking.

Tea Encounters was founded by Chiara who, while brewing tea, tells stories on the culture, philosophy and history of loose leaf teas from Japan and China to forge a real appreciation of both the quality of the tea and the knowledge of its traditions.

Genso was founded to support and build upon the over 1,000 years of tradition and mastery of Bizen pottery -; one of the six ancient kilns of Japan. The young artisans they work with are highly talented, with a sensitivity that allows them to combine the traditional beauty of Bizen Pottery with modern influences. Harnessing only clay, the Bizen pottery is fired without any glazing for two weeks, which results in a tremendous array of patterns and colours that no artist can fully predict. Showcased here is the main Genso collection, all designed by Toshiaki Mori - the 19th generation of a Bizen family. Also by Toshiaki is a beautiful tea set with the traditional Bizen Sangiri colourin of a black and grey gradation produced by using ash during the firing. Presented by Ichiro Mori, is a plate of his Keshiki (Japanese for ‘landscape’) series. In Bizen Art, the keshiki of a piece refers to the landscape of the surface formed through variations in colour and texture. The final artisan presented is Kazuya Ishida, with a piece from his Rahou series, inspired by his three year stay in Oxford teaching students his skills and Japanese culture (2015-2018). The Rahou technique is a spiraling technique distinctive to Kazuya, imparting a sense of grace and power into its sculptural quality.

Kätlin Lõbu is a freelance curator and a textile artist working mainly with natural materials such as linen, cotton and wool. Her latest rug collection HETK (“moment” in Estonian), made with linen and organic cotton yarn, lies between art and function. It asks the viewer to take a moment - to be simply present and take time to observe the colourful abstract shapes formed with the fine yarn.

These light hand-tufted rugs with their softness are also great for meditation and due to the characteristics of linen yarn, they keep warmth in winter months and stay cool in summer. HETK is her second collection, a further development from her woollen pieces and an exploration to different materials in rug design. Her creative work with textiles has been aligned in a joint venture with her partner Antoine Fromentin under the brand name miskes, where the duo creates minimal apparel, art and homeware. Kätlin is also one of the cofounders of NID - an online concept store and design platform for Estonian and Finnish designers abroad. The participation at the London Craft Week 2022 is funded by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.