SEVENTEEN of Scotland’s most exciting talents in glass, silversmithing, furniture, ceramics, tapestry and mixed media have been chosen to be part of the UK craft sector’s premier showcase.

Scotland: Craft & Design, a gallery presentation led by Craft Scotland and supported by Emergents – which nurtures talent in the Highlands and islands – will form part of the Collect international art fair.

Held in the Saatchi Gallery London, it brings together galleries, artists and collectors from around the world to present a stunning array of established and new talent. Since its launch in 2004, Collect has gone from strength to strength to become one of the world’s leading fairs for contemporary applied art and the highlight of the craft calendar.

The pieces showcased at Scotland: Craft & Design include: Isabelle Moore’s woven elliptical chair; Frances Priest’s ceramics collection inspired by Victorian patterns; Amanda Simmons’s powder blown glass pieces influenced by the Caithness landscape; and Joanne Thompson’s delicate chain mail-esque jewellery.

Returning to Collect for the first time since 2011, Craft Scotland is responding to a growing global demand for high-quality Scottish crafts, and the diverse selection of makers represents a high point in an industry that supports 3000-plus people and significantly contributes to the Scottish economy.

Helena Ward, creative industries manager at Creative Scotland, said: “The Scotland: Craft & Design presentation at Collect 2018 provides a fantastic opportunity for some of Scotland’s most exciting makers to showcase their work in an international context.

“The breadth of craft included in this year’s exhibition is testament to the wealth of creative talent from across Scotland and the outstanding quality of their work.”

Christina Jansen, managing director of The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh, said: “The presentation is covers a broad spectrum of Scottish-based and Scottish trained-artists. It is a bold presentation of emerging, mid-career and senior artists from Scotland.”

The show will run from February 22 to 25.