Titled Success is a journey, Not a Destination, Professor Jackie Guille’s (Design supervisor and Professor at the University of Northumbria/Newcastle, London) Faculty Lecture examines the multiple internal and external factors that shape the innovative capacity in the craft sector, as well as entrepreneurial practices that influence and impact sustainable growth in the sector. She explores the challenges of collaboration between ‘external agents’ – be it designers, design institutions, government agencies, trade organisations or international brands – and grass-roots enterprise.

“Trade in handicrafts has been conducted over the decades and is embodied in the cultural heritage of communities across Africa and India. Arguably today’s commercial exploitation represents a threat to the authenticity of this cultural heritage because it inevitably changes the form and function of the resultant artefacts. Craft is poised between the rich legacy of traditional practice and the demands of evolving fashions. A radical shift is needed in how we think about collaboration and also how we shape and perform innovation in order to develop an approach that enables the artisan to take ownership of the process,” said Prof Guille.

Drawing upon two decades of research focused on craft enterprise in Sub-Saharan Africa and India, Prof Guille will consider the merits of differing participatory models and methodologies employed to support sustainable development in the craft sector during the Lecture.

Details are as follows:-
Date : Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Time : 12:00
Venue : Arthur Smith Hall, City Campus, Durban University of Technology