What Art Collectors Need to KNow About Craft Works
by Maxwell Rabb
by Maxwell Rabb
An insightful Artsy interview with our founder Cynthia Valianti Corbett explores the evolving landscape of contemporary craft. Featuring Matt Smith, Margo Selby, and Klari Reis, the article delves into the dynamic ways collectors are embracing craft in new and exciting ways. Read here.
"When a collector couple noted that every inch of their walls was covered in paintings, the London gallerist Cynthia Corbett saw an overlooked opportunity. She suggested acquiring three handcrafted sconces by Matt Smith, made with 18th-century female figurines reworked with Parian black porcelain.
“They’ll say, ‘My walls are full,’ and a lot of my best collectors started that way,” said Corbett. “They opened their eyes to that form, that genre.”
“They’ll say, ‘My walls are full,’ and a lot of my best collectors started that way,” said Corbett. “They opened their eyes to that form, that genre.”
Craft works have long found a place in collectors’ homes and hearts. Inspired by generations of craftsmanship and often derived from ancestral techniques, the tactile allure of craft—be it through textiles, ceramics, metalwork, or beadwork—continues to find new audiences. For collectors, exploring contemporary craft can introduce a wealth of new mediums while also providing unique insights into diverse cultural expressions.
