The Blackwater Polytechnic (Ben Coode-Adams, Freddie Robins, Sara Impey, Justin Knopp and Simon Emery – The Paintbox) are exhibiting the collaborative work, Tree, in the Craftspace national touring exhibition We are Commoners: Creative Acts of Commoning.

We are the Minories
18 Long Wyre Street
Colchester, CO1 1LJ
Open Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm
Free exhibition
Exhibition runs 10 October – 3 December 2022

We are Commoners is an exhibition which shows how shared processes, skills and values associated with creative making contribute to thriving commons neighbourhoods.

“The commons means: Things we share/ Places we share/ Systems we share/ Ideas we share/ Culture we share” Peter Barnes, On the Commons co-founder

This thought-provoking exhibition which highlights ‘acts of commoning’ is coming to We are the Minories in Colchester on the final leg of its UK tour. These actions are shaping the way communities work together to share and steward commonly owned assets and resources. Through sixteen loans and new commissions artists will bring attention to the issues, contribute their thought leadership and participate in a call to action.

These artists provide a powerful commentary on what society stands to gain from acting to protect and reclaim our global commons. Featuring both UK based and international artists, the exhibition reflects a commons-based shift in thinking from ‘you’re on your own’ to ‘we’re in this together.’ It will investigate how creativity, making and materials can highlight how acts of commoning are creating thriving communities.

For more information about We are the Minories
For more information about Craftspace and We are Commoners

Freddie Robins and Carl Clerkin’s Jumper Chair, along with all of the Beasley Brothers Repair Shop Collection, will be auctioned through SCP, London on Wednesday 12 October, 6.00 – 9.00pm

As part of the Eternally Yours exhibition, Somerset House commissioned Carl Clerkin to build a functioning repair shop in their gallery. SCP along with Very Good and Proper, Ercol, Pearson Lloyd, Jasper Morrison Studio, and John Tree Studio all donated components to the shop. Broken parts, excess stock, and waste material were sent to be repurposed. Carl Clerkin and a host of designer-makers set to work, breathing life into unwanted materials. An exhibition of all the outcomes will be displayed from 4 – 12 October, culminating with a live auction on the evening of 12 October.

Live Auction at SCP | 12 October 6.00-9.00pm
Register for your free ticket here

See all the lots and estimated prices here
Absentee bids can be made

SCP
135-139 Curtain Road
London EC2A 3BX
+44 (0)20 7739 1869

Freddie Robins is interviewed by Maria Rosaria Roseo in ArteMorbida Textile Arts Magazine. Text available in Italian and English

Read interview here

Freddie Robins has been ‘making’ at Beasley Brothers Repair Shop with the designer, Carl Clerkin. Beasley Brothers’ Repair Shop is Clerkin’s brainchild. It is modelled on traditional East End repair shops of old, that could and would repair anything. Clerkin is inviting other artists and designers to join him during the exhibition, working live to transform discarded objects to give them a new lease of life.

Clerkin has also selected photographs of his favourite artists’ and designers’ repairs. He has included Robins’ domestic repair Sofa damaged by cats, repaired by human through use of custom made tin badges.

Eternally Yours – Care, Repair and Healing
Somerset House
Terrace Rooms, South Wing
Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Exhibition runs until 25 September 2022

Robins and Clerkin’s chair will be exhibited as part of Beasley Brothers Repair Shop at Material Matters 2022, a new design fair that takes place during the London Design Festival from 22 – 25 September 2022.

Material Matters 2022, Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH
For more information and opening hours

The Blackwater Polytechnic (Ben Coode-Adams, Freddie Robins, Sara Impey, Justin Knopp and Simon Emery – The Paintbox) are exhibiting the collaborative work, Tree, in the Craftspace national touring exhibition We are Commoners: Creative Acts of Commoning.

The exhibition highlights acts of ‘commoning’ that are shaping the way communities are working together to share and steward commonly owned assets and resources. It also investigates craft as a form of commons through knowledge, materials, practice and heritage.

The exhibition also includes new work by artists: Amy Twigger Holroyd, Deirdre Nelson, Hefin Jones, Linda Brothwell, Jacky Oliver, Common Agency Projects (Shane Waltener & Laura Glaser), Lise Bjørne Linnert with Gelawesh Waledkhani, Rachael Colley, Alinah Azadeh, Hefin Jones and Kate Hodgson.

The Gallery, Hull Central Library
Albion Street
Hull
HU1 3TF
Hull Central Library

Exhibition runs from 23 July – 20 September 2022

For more information about Craftspace and We are Commoners