Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 76 – Craftland – A Journey Through Britain’s Disappearing Crafts with Author James Fox

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with art historian and broadcaster James Fox about his new book 'Craftland: In Search of Lost Arts and Disappearing Trades.' They explore the significance of traditional crafts in British culture, the impact of geography on craftsmanship, and the challenges faced by artisans in a modern, digital age. The conversation highlights the importance of preserving these skills and the cultural heritage they represent, as well as the potential for a craft revival in contemporary society.

Links

• Craftland (Amazon Link)
• Craftland (Bookshop.org link)
• James Fox Website
• Heritage Crafts Association
• Friends of Anglotopia Club

Takeaways

• Craftsmanship is a profound part of our identity.
• We are a species of makers, connected to our craft heritage.
• The art of making still matters in our digital age.
• Geography significantly influences the types of crafts practiced.
• Craftspeople are often the last custodians of their trades.
• The decline of traditional crafts reflects a broader economic shift.
• Craftsmanship can teach us about patience and value in a fast-paced world.
• There is a growing interest in crafts post-COVID-19.
• Apprenticeships are crucial for sustaining traditional crafts.
• Crafts can reveal much about local and national identity.

Sound Bites

1. On the crisis facing British crafts: "Of all of our traditional crafts, about half of them are endangered, about quarter of them are critically endangered. And in the last 10 years or so, five crafts have gone extinct in Britain."

2. On the cricket ball revelation: "I read in the newspaper that the art of cricket ball making had gone extinct. And I thought this was completely outrageous for a country that invented the game of cricket, which I'm sure you know, Jonathan, is the greatest sport in the world, that we weren't even making cricket balls anymore."

3. On breaking down art vs. craft distinctions: "These distinctions are completely false. You know, there is for me one great spectrum of making that exists for human beings... craftspeople... are just as culturally important as our famous artists and actors and composers that have generally got much more credit."

4. On the 10,000 hours principle: "All the people I know who are successful are successful because they work hard and they do not give up and they've dedicated to themselves to doing something and to doing it right."

5. On learning a craft the hard way: "I thought it would be very easy actually dry stone walling... as soon as I started doing it I realized it is far more difficult than you think... I embarrass myself greatly."

6. On what other countries do better: "If you are a top crafts person in Japan or South Korea or even in France, you can be called a living national treasure where the state actually pays you to promote your craft and to pass it on. We do not have such a scheme in the UK."

7. On the apprenticeship crisis: "The biggest problem is apprenticeships. There's woefully little support for apprenticeships in the UK... if the UK really wants to make a difference to craft and to make it more viable, it needs to invest more significantly in its apprenticeship schemes."

8. On hidden heritage in unexpected places: "Wherever you come from, whether it's Bedfordshire in England or it's Indiana in the United States, there is a craft history, a manufacturing history to uncover... you will find creativity, you will find something interesting happen."

9. On craft as universal: "I think it's something that is just common to humanity, but unfortunately not as common as it used to be."

10. On the motivation behind the book: "This is the moment to travel around the country and to document these crafts before they disappear... It was just the most enjoyable and wonderful thing to do. It was the highlight of my professional career."Retry

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Craftland and Its Importance
• 02:50 The Journey of Discover