Sarah Corbett has worked as a professional campaigner for the last 6 years for Christian Aid, DFID (Department for International Development) and most recently Oxfam. She started doing craftivism (activism through craft) in 2008 as a reaction to quick, extrovert & aggressive activism and set up the global Craftivist Collective in 2009. Sarah works in collaboration with large charities such as UNICEF and art institutions such as National Portrait Gallery as well as organisations such as cult-jewellers Tatty Devine and Secret Cinema. She also sells products, delivers workshops, lectures, talks and exhibits her own craftivism work around the world. Sarah currently as a year-long series of craftivism workshops with V&A & her book ‘A Little Book of Craftivism” was released October 2013.
2 Minute Interview:
How does your workshop relate to being in the NOW?
My approach to Craftivism is all about doing this slow repetitive craft action to help us reflect on our actions in the past, now and in the future and how we can be good, active, global citizens in all that we do to be part of the solution to injustices and suffering. Craftivism is mindful slow activism to stop, think and act more intentionally NOW
What are you most looking forward to doing within your slot at NOW?
I’m looking forward to creating a space and environment for participants to feel safe and open to how my approach to craftivism can benefit them personally, collectively and politically.
Any tips on how the audience can most benefit from your workshop?
Politics is personal and so is the solution. I hope people leave feeling they know more about the different benefits Craftivism can offer and how they can use it in their life and work & become craftivists!
At Deptford Lounge:
‘Craftivist footprint: a spoonful of craft helps the activism go down’
We often reflect on the time to come or time gone by without really enjoying where we are now. We are connected to others and we have an impact as a local and global citizen (for most of us quite a daunting thought). It is easy to let life pass us by so why not craft yourself a physical footprint to help you focus yourself on the NOW and remember how to be your best self in your local community using your unique passions, talents & actions?
In this workshop led by Founder of Craftivist Collective Sarah Corbett, you will learn the classic skill of embroidery whilst also learning how to be a change-maker to make the world a better place for people and planet. You will create a fabric footprint for you to keep and you will receive support on what message to stitch on your footprint and suggestions of where to put it.