The Culture of Craft: Status and Future Peter Dormer (Editor)

Abstract

Peter Dormer appeared to regard many practitioners of contemporary craft as fallen women who, having rejected the virtuous way of traditional skills and wholesome craft values, prostitute themselves on the street corners of conceptual art. His mission was to save them from themselves and to save craft from its own form of fornication with the devil - self-referential design autism. The publication of his last book provides a timely opportunity to reflect upon his contentious views on craft and design, which have often been expressed in an opinionated polemic that at times crossed the boundary into personalized abuse. His writing is invariably provocative and on occasion infuriating, driven by a seeming moral certainty.