Cutting Cheese: Sculpture, Craft and Performance brings together live performance, artisanal craft and culinary expertise in a unique public event.
In the window of Britain’s oldest cheesemongers, Paxton & Whitfield at 93 Jermyn Street, London, stone carver Zoë Wilson will transform cheese into a striking geometric sculpture in a free live demonstration exploring skill, material and creativity. Audiences are invited to watch the process unfold from 12–1.30pm.
That evening, the event continues with an exclusive after-hours cheese tasting with wine at 7pm. Sculptor Ben Russell will join Tom Richardson, Head of Retail at Paxton & Whitfield, in a conversation exploring the parallels between sculptural practice and artisan cheesemaking. The discussion will be moderated by Dr Stephen Knott, Director of the Crafts Study Centre. Ben, who works primarily in stone, draws on traditional techniques developed through his training as an architectural stone carver and restorer. In his talk, he will share insights into his creative process, including a series of cheese-inspired sculptures produced especially for London Craft Week. Alongside him, cheese connoisseur Tom Richardson will offer expert guidance through the tasting, unveiling the techniques and traditions behind artisan cheese production.
Limited tickets available via London Craft Week
Throughout the festival, specially commissioned works will be exhibited at Paxton & Whitfield, including sculptures by Ben Russell and Roya Bahram, letter carvings by Charlotte Howarth, and a painting by Caroline Hall.
Fluvii art gallery: Showcasing the talent of award-winning artists
Fluvii represents 16 artists, many of whom trained at the prestigious City & Guilds of London Art School, working across a diverse range of media, including stone, metal, and clay. Our inaugural selling exhibition, held last summer in the picturesque grounds of Houghton Lodge on the banks of the River Test in Hampshire, attracted nearly 4,000 visitors. In addition to exhibitions, we showcase and sell contemporary sculpture online and at carefully curated events throughout the year.
Paxton & Whitfield
Established in 1797, Paxton & Whitfield has been a holder of the prestigious Royal Warrant since the reign of Queen Victoria. As Britain's oldest cheesemongers, it prides itself on sourcing and maturing the very best cheeses from well-known and up-and-coming artisan producers from across Britain and Europe and is recognised for its commitment to quality and craft.
London Craft Week: Festival host
Celebrating outstanding British and international creativity, London Craft Week takes place across different venues in London from 11–17 May 2026. The festival brings together more than 1,000 established and emerging makers, designers, brands, and galleries from around the world, showcasing their talents and processes through demonstrations and exhibitions.
Dr Stephen Knott, moderator of the talk between Ben Russell and Tom Richardson, is the Director of the Crafts Study Centre, part of the University for the Creative Arts. A writer, lecturer and editor, Stephen’s research explores everyday material culture, amateur craft, craft in the context of British history, histories of studio craft and contemporary craft practice.
The Artists:
Based in Hampshire, Zoë Wilson trained at the City & Guilds of London Art School, where she mastered the art of stone carving. Time spent in Borneo deeply influenced her practice, inspiring an ongoing fascination with geometry from the rainforest’s patterns to those in Islamic art. She continually seeks new technical challenges, refining her craft through precision and discipline.
Ben Russell’s stone sculptures bridge ancient craftsmanship and contemporary consciousness. Drawing on his foundational years as an architectural stone carver and restorer, Ben uses traditional hand-carving techniques to explore the invisible threads connecting all living things, environmental issues and mental health. Ben is committed to preserving the heritage of his craft by teaching the next generation of carvers, offering courses in historic stone-carving methods.
Charlotte Howarth is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practice spans sculpture, stone carving, and the precise art of letter cutting. Specialising in bespoke artworks and memorials, Charlotte is known for her ability to weave narratives into stone. She recently collaborated on The Opened Letter, a public monument at the National Memorial Arboretum, which stands as a poignant tribute to LGBTQ+ military personnel impacted by the historic ban.
Caroline Hall is a contemporary painter whose work serves as a vibrant dialogue with the natural world. From the rugged coastlines of Cornwall to the seasonal blooms of Hampshire’s Lower Norton Flower Farm, where she was Artist-in-Residence, Caroline translates her travels into emotive landscapes and floral studies.
Roya Bahram is a British Iranian sculptor based in London. Classically trained as a stone carver, with a BA from City & Guilds of London Art School, she creates trompe-l’œil sculptures that reimagine everyday domestic objects in stone. Her work bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary pop sensibility.
