Kate Colin: The Art of the Fold at Manchester Craft & Design Centre

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Alan Braidwood & Alaisdair Smith Photography

Kate Colin: The Art of the Fold at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Manchester 23 November 2017 — 3 February 2018 Entrance is free

As the world of contemporary art becomes increasingly dominated by video installations, digital landscapes and ‘immersive multimedia experiences’, the comparative simplicity of older, more traditional crafts, such as pottery or textiles, appears to have taken on a renewed sense of appeal and significance. Indeed, an artist’s ability to create something remarkable out of very basic materials and limited tools will always retain an intrinsic value.

The Art of the Fold at MCDC is a perfect illustration of this. Drawing upon the ancient craft of paper folding, designer-maker Kate Colin creates striking geometric artworks based on her own unique set of techniques inspired by mathematical forms and patterns within nature. Every piece is designed with the added combination of light in mind and, when illuminated, radically transforms – folds, creases and angles becoming emphasised, and Colin’s experiments in colour, tonal variation and shadow revealed.

A passion for finely-crafted, handmade examples of bold, contemporary design makes MCDC an ideal setting for Colin’s work, and one of the top suggestions on our Christmas shopping guide. For those inspired by the exhibition, Colin is also offering the chance to learn some of the skills involved in its creation, and to try making your own handmade lampshade, with a one-day paper folding workshop in February.

Kate Colin: The Art of the Fold at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Manchester 23 November 2017 — 3 February 2018 Entrance is free

Where to go near Kate Colin: The Art of the Fold at Manchester Craft & Design Centre

The exterior of Manchester Craft & Design Centre.
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Oak Street Café

Oak Street Café at Manchester Craft & Design Centre does fresh, healthy salads, soups, sandwiches, quiches and, best of all, cakes.

Common Bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Common Bar

Northern Quarter stalwart Common Bar in Manchester serves excellent pub food, fine cocktails and decent coffee. It’s a firm Creative Tourist team favourite.

Manchester
Restaurant
Home Sweet Home, Manchester

Home Sweet Home in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a cafe and milk bar that does a mean line in cake, puddings and all things sweet – but its savoury menu isn’t half bad either.

Deadstock General Store
Northern Quarter
Deadstock General Store

This small shop has a well-curated range of stock that focuses on vintage homeware and gifts. From Japanese hemp socks to botanical paperweights and HAWS plant misters, each object is beautiful, practical and well made.

Manchester
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Ziferblat Manchester

Ziferblat is a pay as you stay café in the northern quarter, where everything is free – except the time you spend.

Manchester
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Sweet Mandarin

Gordon Ramsay-approved Northern Quarter restaurant run by three sisters, featuring some of the city’s finest Chinese cuisine.

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Cane & Grain

Essentially three bars under one roof, Cane & Grain encompasses a rib joint and tap room, hidden speakeasy, and Tiki-themed Liar’s Lounge.

Manchester
Shop
NOTE Thomas Street

The sister store to NOTE’s original Tib Street branch, here you’ll find footware, clothes and brands inspired by the skateboard scene. If it’s a new board you’re after, head to Tib Street.

57 Thomas Street, Manchester. Courtesy 57 Thomas Street
Manchester
Bar or Pub
57 Thomas Street

57 Thomas Street is the third outlet belonging to Manchester’s best-known microbrewery, Marble Beers. Unlike the lavish decoration of the Grade II-listed Marble Arch (which also doubles up as a brewery) or the traditional pub layout of the Marble Beer House in Chorlton, this tiny Thomas Street digs has room for just two things: beer and food.

Fierce Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Fierce Bar

Highly-rated bar based in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, seconds away from Common.

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