Made in the Middle

Made in the Middle 2025 touring exhibition will launch at Leicester Gallery on 25 January 2025.

The exhibition draws together 37 artists whose work highlights the innovative contemporary crafts being made in the Midlands today. The artists represent the region’s vibrant and diverse creative community and include both emerging talents and established names.

Thirty-one of the artists were selected through an open call, by a panel of curators and craft experts. Many crafted new works for the exhibition which show development in thinking about, with, and through materials.

Six of the artists were invited by Guest Curator Jazz Swali, with Marta Marsicka Curatorial Support. Their pieces reflect the enriching cultural impact of global migration to the region.

The wide range of objects, materials, skills, processes and techniques on display provide inspiration for anyone interested in making, seeing or buying craft.

The exhibition is the ninth in the Made in the Middle series and will tour to galleries across the Midlands into 2026.

You can find out more about visiting the exhibition here.

A very detailed ceramic model. It is a fantasy creature covered in lots of decoration which appears like leaves, flowers or fur. It is white with black and gold detail and has a very textured surface.

Six brightly coloured, differently sized vases. Each vase is entirely one colour, and differently shaped. The surfaces are decorated with many sharp grooves, creating lines top to bottom.

An amber and blue coloured glass vessel, contstricted by metal coils. The glass seems to be trying to escape these constraints. A coil of rope surrounds the mouth of the vessel.

A brightly coloured, heavily patterned floral quilt. 6 squares high, 8 squares wide. Reads 'Go Home, Call your Nan, Tell her you love her'. Any patch not containing letters embellished with stitched shapes resembling a paint splatter.

Made in the Middle 2025

Images (clockwise from top left): Lucy Baxendale, Photo: Dan Barker. Keeley Traae, Vases. Photo: David Rowan. Karina Thompson, Recovery Quilt 6 Mildred And Eleanor, Photo: Richard Battye. Christopher Day, Under The Influence V, Photo: Agata Pec Courtesy Vessel Gallery.