As Milton Keynes celebrates its 50th birthday, Maker-Artists of Milton Keynes delves into the lives and work of twenty-five makers of hand-crafted artistic objects who are based in the city today. The featured maker-artists are chosen for the ways in which their use of the traditional materials of ceramics, wood, metal, glass and textiles, in the words of William Morris, 'beautifies the familiar matters of the everyday'. As well as exploring their skills and displaying the delightful objects they make, this book uncovers the maker-artists' networks of local links to people and places. Illustrated with beautiful colour photographs, this book explores how the landscape of Milton Keynes, from the recently built ultra-modern to the enduring pockets of historic buildings, stimulates and enhances the artistic lives of the makers.

About the Author

Linda Wilks is interested in people and the ways in which they relate to art, music and festivals. She has worked for many years at the Open University in Milton Keynes and has lived in Olney for even longer. Linda has a PhD from the OU on the social and cultural value of festivals and has published books and articles on the arts. She enjoys printing, dyeing and sewing textiles as well as going to art galleries and music events. Ann has published articles and books for academic, workplace and craft community audiences. She has been a tutor and course writer for the Open University for many years. She is a musician and keen ceramics practitioner and is currently experimenting with earthenware clay and oxides to produce simple forms. She lives in Bletchley, Milton Keynes and is a volunteer at the Westbury Arts Centre. Brian is a photographer and artist with a passion for nature and music. His work has been published in the world's biggest photo book at The Truman Gallery, on the BBC's Sky at Night, on album covers, on festival websites and in event programmes. He was commended in the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards. He is a life-long resident of Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes and has a keen interest in the local music and arts scene.

Book Information
ISBN 9780750981156
Author Linda Wilks
Format Hardback
Imprint The History Press Ltd
Publisher The History Press Ltd