Britain’s oldest artisanal traditions face a significant threat of extinction, according to Dr. James Fox, an art historian at the University of Cambridge. His new book, Craftland: In Search of Lost Arts and Disappearing Trades, highlights this urgent issue, detailing various crafts across the UK, from dry stone walling in West Yorkshire to coopering in Bushmills, Northern Ireland. The book, published by The Bodley Head in September 2023 and set for release in the United States by Crown on October 28, 2023, blends travel writing with insightful reporting.
Dr. Fox argues for the importance of these crafts, asserting that they are not just relics of the past but vital traditions relevant in today’s society. He states, “If your only definition of craft is something very traditional, you’re confining it to the past and to heritage. Craft is a living tradition — a vital tradition.”
In a recent video interview from the Hugo Burge Foundation, an arts and crafts charity in southeastern Scotland where he serves as the creative director, Dr. Fox expressed his motivations for writing the book. He noted the current technological revolution, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, which is reshaping various aspects of life, including work and creativity.
“It seemed like a really good time to look back at older ways of working, older ways of making,” he explained. “Partly to describe them before they potentially disappear, but also partly to see what we might be able to learn from them.”
Dr. Fox believes that while technology continues to advance, it cannot replicate the craftsmanship and individuality offered by artisans. He shared a personal anecdote about the joy he experienced from using a handmade pair of scissors, emphasizing the unique qualities that handcrafted items possess.
The book serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving these endangered trades. Dr. Fox’s work not only documents the skills at risk of being lost but also invites readers to appreciate the artistry and history behind them.
By shedding light on these disappearing crafts, Craftland aims to inspire a renewed interest in traditional skills and encourage a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage they represent. As the world embraces modernity, Dr. Fox’s narrative serves as a call to action to protect and celebrate the rich tapestry of artisanal traditions that define Britain’s cultural landscape.
