Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind Brings 60+ Artists to Somerset House for London Design Festival 2026
From September 16 to 27, 2026, Somerset House's Embankment Galleries will host "Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind," a complimentary exhibition featuring over 60 artists as part of the London Design Festival. This showcase delves into the concept of craft as a mindset, emphasizing China's vibrant craft heritage through both traditional and modern designs, incorporating digital aspects. Curated by Mr. Su Dan and Ms. Yang Lan, the exhibition is influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, centering on "Object-Mind Interdependence." It comprises three segments: Chengxin (clearing the mind), Xiuxin (refining the mind), and Yangxin (nourishing the mind). Featured artists include Ma Yixi, Huang Lu, and Li Xiaofeng. This London event follows exhibitions in Paris (2024) and Milan (2025).
Key facts
- "Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind" runs 16–27 September 2026 at Somerset House, Embankment Galleries, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 1LA.
- The free exhibition features more than 60 artists and forms part of the official London Design Festival programme.
- Media include stoneware, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, furniture and sculpture, with digital and immersive elements throughout.
- Curators are Mr. Su Dan, Deputy Director of the China National Arts and Crafts Museum and China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, and Ms. Yang Lan, Chairperson of Sun Media Group.
- The curatorial framework draws on Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism, including Chan Buddhism's "Illuminate the Mind to see One's True Nature" and the LuWang School's "The Mind Itself is Principle."
- Three sections structure the show: Clear the Mind (Chengxin), Refine the Mind (Xiuxin) and Nourish the Mind (Yangxin).
- The London edition follows "Five Elements" at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, in 2024, and "A Narrative of Social Life" at Palazzo Serbelloni, Milan, in 2025.
- Exhibiting artists include Ma Yixi, Huang Lu, Li Xiaofeng, Li Hongbo, Shao Fan, Tan Ping, Wu Jian'an, Kathrin Von Rechenberg, Shi Hui and Chen Qingqing.
Entities
Artists
- Su Dan
- Yang Lan
- Chen Qingqing
- Chen Darui
- Chen Yingze
- Che Junbiao
- Diao Juan
- Fang Hui
- Fan Anqi
- Fu Shaoxiong
- Gao Huijun (Heshang)
- Rosalie Huang
- He Hongbing
- He Yang
- Huang Lu
- He Yan'er
- He Weimin
- Hu Yuming
- Huangfu Wenxin
- Jin Jun
- Jiang Haiming
- Li Xiaofeng
- Li Hongbo
- Li Yichen
- Li Jing
- Lin Fanglu
- Liang Xingmei
- Ma Yixi
- Ouyang Wendong
- Pu Keyu
- Ren Bo
- Shao Fan
- Shi Jianmin
- Shi Hui
- Shuang Xi
- Su Zhipeng
- Song Zhengying
- Tan Ping
- Tang Zhenzhen
- Kathrin Von Rechenberg
- Wang Huaiqing
- Wu Gaozhong
- Wu Jian'an
- Wang Kezhen
- Wang Jianzhong
- Wu Haoyu
- Wu Guanzhen
- Wang Lei
- Wang Hui
- Wang Tong
- Wang Wanxing
- Xue Xiaodong
- Xu Fei
- Xu Hui
- Xu Jiegen
- Yao Jianping
- Yao Bangliang
- Yang Peizhang
- Yu Ying
- Yuan Zheng
- Zhi Min
- Zhou Junnan
- Zhang Yihan
- Zhang Yu
- Li Xianfeng
Institutions
- Somerset House
- London Design Festival
- China National Arts and Crafts Museum
- China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum
- Sun Media Group
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs
- Palazzo Serbelloni
- Art Plugged
- UNESCO
- White Cube Gallery
- Chelsea Flower Show
- London Design Week
- Forbes
- Reviving Craft
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- Milan
- Italy
- China
- Spain
- Jingdezhen