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Ken Stradling

Ken Stradling by Cleo Saunders: June 28th

How did Ken Stradling take a small craft shop and turn it into the most enchanting and exciting treasure house of design? All this in a post-war Britain battered by the privations of wartime?

This talk will take you into his world of bright colour, beautiful handmade crafts and a rare cpacity for enthusiasm which encouraged so many young makers and artists.
 
Danish furniture, Swedish glass and the best of British crafts made the Bristol Guild in Park Street a beacon of modernism and a delightful place to visit. Cleo Witt first met Ken as a young assistant curator at Bristol Art Gallery in the 70s. She then became a close friend, listening to the amazing fund of stories he remembered right up to his death in 2022 at the age of 100.
 
Cleo is now a trustee of the amazing collection which is Ken’s legacy to his city.

 

Ken Stradling

Ken Stradling

About The Guild – 68–70 Park Street, Bristol BS1 5JY

This lovely specialist department store is worth the hike up Park Street if you’re a design buff. Or even if you’re not. Downstairs you’ll find plenty of kitchen goodies, with Emma Bridgewater ceramics and the likes of Typhoon and Dartington kitchen and tableware, as well as a toy department. There’s also a small gourmet foods department. And upstairs you’ll find furniture, jewellery and ceramic art. If you’re looking for presents, cards, wrapping paper or anything beautiful for the home, this is the place to come. It’s all very designer and chic.

One of the nicest things about it is the café at the back, often full of grannies – Park Street’s hidden secret. Hunker down here for homemade soup or a flapjack at brilliant prices.


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Date/Time
Date(s) - 28/06/2023
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

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