Beading goes contemporary

In February, I visited Collect for the very first time. This exhibition of contemporary craft was not what I expected but all the more interesting for it. International galleries presented works of craft in a sale show and were keen to give me a run down on their artists’ practice. The South Korean agents seemed to tell the most entertaining stories about their clients, and I was fascinated to watch wealthy people spending thousands of pounds on ceramic bowls.

My favourite piece was by an artist named Zandile Ntobela. Her artworks are made of tiny hand-stitched glass beads sewn in the most wonderful evocative patterns. From a distance, I could not tell that the work was beaded but up close I was able to appreciate the intricacies of the works. Ntobela is South African and her works combine traditional South African pattern making and beading practices with a modern approach to colour.

I am always interested in artists that use techniques classed as traditionally ‘feminine’, such as beading, tapestry and cross stitch, as so much of this practice has never been appreciated as art that should be displayed and celebrated but rather just as useful women’s work.

Ntobela is part of Ubuhle, a group of female bead artists, who is represented by 50 Golbourne, a London gallery, so hopefully we will be seeing more of her beautiful work in the future.