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Cabinets of Curiosities Talk: In Conversation with Silke Dettmers and Building Crafts College Neil Austin
In conversation with Raw Materials resident artist Silke Dettmers and Neil Austin, furniture maker and Fine Furniture Course Leader, Building Crafts College.

Silke Dettmers will discuss her artist residency and curious discoveries made as part of the Raw Materials project, her fascination with the Wunderkammer (cabinets of wonder) and her latest large sculptural artwork, which is part of the exhibition. Neil Austin will talk alongside Silke, further exploring the wondrous cabinets created by the Building Crafts College Students as part of the project.

Biographies:

Born in Germany Silke Dettmers has lived in the UK since 1981 and trained at St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. Her practice comprises of sculptures, drawing and photography. Most recently her sculptures and photographs were exhibited in ‘Mark Wallinger Presents’ (2014, London), ‘Compulsion’ (2013, London) and ‘Territories’ (2012, Den Helder, Netherlands). Dettmers lectures at a number of British arts universities, and has taught in Poland and Colombia. She also curates and writes on arts related subjects.

Neil Austin is a passionate maker and teacher, as well as an experienced furniture maker and designer. He is the Lead Tutor for Fine Woodwork and Furniture Making at the Building Crafts College and prior to this taught at Bucks New University as BA Furniture Design Course Leader.